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OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

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g.  I-  w- 


Sweepers  of  the  Sea 


THE    HUASCAR. 


Sweepers  of  the  Sea 


The  Story  of  a  Strange  Navy 


By 

Claude  H.  Wetmore 


Pictures  by  G.  A.  Coffin 


Indianapolis 
The  Bowen-Merrill  Company 

Publishers 


Copyright,  1900 

The  Bo  wen- Merrill  Company 

All  Rights  Reserved 


Braunworth,  Munn  <£f  Barber 

Printers  and  Binders 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


'9 


FS 

3 /Si 


HER  PICTURE  IS  BEFORE  ME  AS  I  WRITE. 

IT  STANDS  NEAR  A  PHOTOGRAPH  OF  THE  OLD  HOME 

AT  CUYAHOGA  FALLS,  OHIO.     SHE  WAS  WITH  ME 

IN  THAT  FAR-AWAY  LAND  WHEN  INCIDENTS 

OCCURRED  WHICH  GAVE  BIFvTH  TO  THIS 

STORY.      SHE  IS  WITH   ME   NOW, 

AND   TO    HER    THIS    BOOK 

IS  DEDICATED— MY 

MOTHER 


Contents 

PREFACE 

Prologue  I 

I. 

Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas  17 

n. 

The  Preeident  of  Peru  29 

m. 

The  Fleet  41 

IV. 

In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya  5^ 

V. 

A  Defiant  Reply  6$ 

VI. 

A  Short  Trip  to  Sea — Story  of  the  Chincha  Islands  78 


VII. 

A  Short  Trip  to  Sea — Story  of  the  Chincha  Islands, 

Contmued  89 

VIII. 
A  Short  Trip  to  Sea — Metamorphosis  of  the  Oroya  99 

IX. 

At  Dinner  on  the  Oroya — The  Story  of  the  Chinchas, 

Concluded  107 

X. 

Sinking  of  the  Shamrock  1 1 6 

XI. 

The  Departure  126 

XII. 

At  Sea 


XIII. 

The  First  Prize  of  the  War 


136 


47 


XIV. 

Cutting  Out  the  Huascar  163 


XV. 

A  Surprise  182 

XVI, 
Three  Fleets  in  Acdon  203 

XVII. 
Off  for  the  Atlantic  228 

XVIII. 

The  Gale  248 

XIX. 
In  the  North  Atlantic  259 

XX, 

The  Engagement  Off  the  Spanish  Coast  279 

XXI. 

The  Engagement  Off  the  Spanish  Coast,  Continued  302 

XXII, 

A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph  316 

XXIII. 

Ten  Years  After  the  Great  Naval  Engagement  330 


Illustrations 

The  Huascar  Frontispiece 

Another  cable's  length   and  you   will   be   sent   to   the 

bottom  40 

Slowly    the    English    battleship    sank,  the  center  of  a 

broad  circle  of  brilliancy  i  24 

To  port  and  to  starboard,  ships  that  had  been  the  pride 

of  two  navies  were  staggering  224 

The  Matucana  struggled   blindly — the  second  wall  of 

water  struck  her  and  she  sank  258 

Struggling  for  mastery,  the  Cross  of  St.  George  and  the 

Red,  White  and  Red  of  Peru  sank  side  by  side  3  i  o 

England's  navy,  wrecked  by  shell  and  fire,  surrendered        314 

The  Oroya  steaming  through  the  narrows  328 

We  entomb  here  the  last  of  the  Incas ;  may  he  reit 

in  peace  346 


Preface 


"Sweepers  of  the  Sea"  is  the  creature  of  many 
a  wakeful  night  while  I  traveled  the  seas  south  of  the 
Equator.  My  first  purpose  was  a  serial  to  be  named 
*  'Incaland. ' '  Then  the  work  expanded  until  it  became 
the  story  now  presented. 

For  a  time  I  collaborated  with  Mr.  Robert  M.  Yost, 
of  St.  Louis,  and  his  clever  work  is  in  evidence  in  the 
prologue,  and  also  in  the  chapter  where  politics  is 
prominent.  When  the  sea  story  was  complete  Mr. 
Yost  assisted  in  building  the  final  chapter  and  in 
showing  Cuzco  in  her  new  glory. 

Claude  H.  Wetmore. 


SWEEPERS  OF  THE  SEA 


PROLOGUE 


A  narrow  neck  of  land,  termed  La  Punta,  juts  into 
the  Pacific  Ocean  from  Callao,  Peru,  and  is  dotted 
at  the  extreme  end  with  hotels  and  cottages.  The 
tip  of  the  peninsula  commands  the  best  view  of  the 
bay  and  of  the  channel  which  separates  the  main- 
land from  the  large  guardian  island  San  Lorenzo. 
This  was  a  favorite  spot  from  which  to  watch  the  man- 
euvers of  the  Chilean  squadron  during  the  blockade 
of  the  late  summer  and  early  autumn  of  1879 — that 
dull,  monotonous  blockade,  a  calm  before  the  storm 
of  bombardment. 

It  was  noticed  and  frequently  remarked  in  those 
days  that  among  the  first  to  visit  the  beach  in  the 
morning  and  the  last  to  leave  when  the  tropic  night 
shut  out  the  hostile  fleet  were  Pedro  and  Louis 
Garcia  y  Garcia,  boys  in  whose  veins  flowed  the  blood 
of  the  great  race  of  Indians  who  once  ruled  supreme 
from  the  jungle-coated  Isthmus  of  Panama  to  the 
ice-bound  shores  of  Patagonia— the  old  Incas  of  the 
West  Coast.  The  legends  of  their  country's  past  great- 
ness, of  the  powers  of  its  kings  and  its  unbounded 
wealth  had  been  repeated  to  these  lads  from  the 
cradle ;   and  it  was  not  until  this  war  came  that  thev 


2  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

realized  how  near  unto  death  was  their  land,  for  it 
had  met  defeat  after  defeat  on  shore  and  on-  sea. 

As  they  watched  from  La  Punta  they  could  see  in 
the  ofifing  the  warship  Huascar,  once  the  pride  of  the 
Peruvian  Navy,  flying  the  pennant  of  the  Chilean 
admiral  as  she  steamed  back  and  forth,  a  constant 
reminder  of  the  battle  ofif  Angamos  Point  and  the 
Peruvian  defeat  there.  And  they  saw  other  ships 
that  had  been  captured,  ships  that  once  rode  majesti- 
cally in  these  same  waters,  and  at  that  time  bore  the 
red,  white  and  red  of  Peru  at  their  gaflfs. 

And  it  happened  one  night,  after  they  had  watched 
the  men-of-war  from  sunrise  to  sunset,  that  they  made 
a  vow  and  shook  hands  earnestly  in  the  binding  there- 
of ;  then  went  their  way  home,  light  of  heart,  for  they 
thought  themselves  at  last  worthy  of  their  sires. 


West  of  the  Andes,  from  the  rolling  foothills  to 
the  Pacific,  not  a  blade  of  grass  nor  other  plant  of 
green,  save  cacti,  growls  without  the  aid  of  irrigation. 
East  of  the  mountains  vegetation  is  riotous,  warm 
rains  coax  huge  trees  from  the  rich  alluvium,  creepers 
form  a  network  overhead,  grasses  interlace  and  block 
footsteps,  and  there  are  flowers  of  all  the  colors  of 
the  rainbow  and  the  perfume  of  Arabia.  In  the 
interior  live  the  Indians,  and  some  of  them  claim  to 
be  descended  from  the  Incas. 

One  night,  five  years  after  the  Huascar  appeared 
ofif  the  Peruvian  coast  and  flaunted  the  enemy's  colors, 
two  young  men   stum.bled  through   a   forest   in  this 


Prologue  3 

interior,  seeking  a  place  where  they  might  remain 
until  daybreak ;  for  a  heavy  rain  beat  a  tattoo  on  the 
palm  leaves  and  formed  pools  on  the  ground. 

"1  fear  we  are  not  going  toward  the  village,  Louis," 
said  one. 

"We  do  seem  to  be  lost,"  was  his  companion's  reply. 
''Surely,  we  are  more  than  ten  miles  from  the  white 
rock.  But  look,  Pedro!  What  is  that?"  and  he 
pointed  straight  ahead. 

A  faint  glimmer  could  be  seen.  It  disappeared, 
then  reappeared  as  the  sagging  palm  leaves  waved 
slowly  in  the  light  wind,  coming  between  their  sight 
and  the  faint  light,  then  m.oving  aside  again. 

Guided  by  this  will-'o-the-wisp  beacon,  they  made 
what  haste  they  could  over  the  soggy  ground  and 
soon  found  themselves  in  a  clearing  and  near  a  hut, 
through  the  cracks  of  which  came  the  glow. 

"Let  us  ask  a  night's  lodging,"  said  Pedro,  and 
he  rapped  lightly. 

The  call  was  at  once  answered,  and  as  the  door 
swung  open  a  gruff  voice  called:  "What  want  you 
here?" 

"Food  and  shelter,  if  you  would  be  so  kind,"  replied 
Pedro;  then  he  retreated  a  step,  and  so  did  his 
brother,  for  their  eyes  had  grown  accustomed  to  the 
light  and  they  saw  a  strange  figure  in  the  door-way. 
They  had  been  questioned  by  a  man  fully  six  and  a 
half  feet  tall,  who  was  erect  as  an  arrow,  but  of  great 
age,  as  testified  by  his  hair,  which  was  long  as  a 
Vv'oman's  and  as  white  as  snow.  His  skin  was  brown 
and   his   features   thin   and   delicately   chiseled.     His 


4  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

nostrils  twitched  nervously  like  those  of  a  thorough- 
bred horse  before  a  race,  and  his  eyes  were  lustrous. 

Reaching  out  into  the  night  he  took  Pedro  by.  the 
arm  and  led  him  into  the  hut,  then  placed  his  hand 
beneath  the  young  man's  chin  and  gently  pressed 
back  his  head  until  the  beams  from  the  torch  which 
illumined  the  room  fell  full  upon  his  face.  After  a 
critical  examination  of  the  elder  brother's  features 
this  curious  individual  repeated  the  strange  action 
with  the  younger,  and  this  done  he  made  a  gesture 
of  satisfaction ;  closed  the  door  and  in  a  voice  no 
longer  hoarse,  but  low  and  musical,  he  exclaimed : 
'*It  is  well.  Indeed  you  are  welcome.  Come — eat, 
drink,  then  rest.  All  that  I  have  is  yours,  for  you 
little  know  what  good  it  does  my  old  heart  to  see 
you,  who  are  the  first,  other  than  me,  to  set  foot 
across  this  threshold  in  so  many  years  that  I  have 
lost  the  count." 

With  marvelous  quickness,  considering  his  age,  the 
Indian  placed  before  them  cornbread,  goats'  milk, 
cold  meat  and  honey. 

'Tell  me,"  he  said,  when  they  had  taken  the  places 
indicated,  "what  do  you  so  far  from  home,  for  your 
clothing  proves  that  you  are  from  the  other  side?" 
and  he  placed  a  hand  on  Louis'  shoulder. 

"Wq  are  seeking  gold,  sir." 

"But  tell  me  more,"  he  urged.  "Who  were  your 
ancestors  and  why  are  you  so  far  from  where  you 
belong,  and  at  so  tender  an  age?" 

The  earnest  manner  of  the  eld  Indian  appealed  to 
the  lads,   and   Pedro  described  their  early   life,  the 


Prologue  5 

visit  of  the  Chilean  fleet  to  Callao  and  finally  con- 
fided to  their  strange  host  the  vow  they  had  made. 

"And  you  have  taken  a  vow,  even  as  I  did?"  he 
said;  then,  striding  to  the  center  of  the  room,  he 
exclaimed  in  a  loud,  clear  voice:  "Listen,  my  chil- 
dren, and  I  will  tell  you  of  the  vow  which  I  took 
and  its  sequel,  that  you  may  be  warned. 

"Years  and  years  ago,  so  many  years  that  I  dare 
not  think  of  numbering  them,  I  was  as  handsome, 
as  agile  and  as  strong  as  you  are  now.  I  could  throw 
a  spear  and  bring  down  a  tiger  at  one  hundred  paces ; 
with  an  arrow  I  could  call  to  earth  an  eagle  as  he 
rose  with  his  prey,  and  with  a  sling  cause  an  ape  to 
drop  from  the  tallest  palm.  I  could  swim  a  stream 
that  raged  during  the  wet  season  and  wrestle  without 
weapons  with  the  boars  of  the  forest.  I  was  descended 
of  kings  and  was  treated  as  one  descended  of  kings. 
But  when  the  wise  men  of  our  tribe  taught  me  the 
lore  I  became  sad,  for  I  learned  that  our  race  was 
becoming  less  and  less ;  that  we  were  being  scattered 
to  the  quarters  of  the  earth  and  were  driven  before 
the  white  man,  who  had  come  in  ships,  as  the  coarse 
is  driven  from  the  fine  of  grain  when  it  is  threshed 
for  use  at  table.  And  one  day,  when  I  had  reached 
man's  estate  or  nearly  so,  I  took  the  vow.  It  was 
to  drive  the  stranger  from  the  land,  to  restore  the 
true  rulers  to  power  over  all  the  domain. 

"A  mighty  army  gathered  when  I  made  my  purpose 
known,  the  members  thereof  coming  from  all  direc- 
tions, and  I  gladly  and  proudly  placed  myself  at  their 
head.    They  were  armed  with  blow  guns  that  would 


6  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

mean  death  to  any  animal,  with  spears  of  iron  wood, 
tipped  with  crystal,  with  slings  made  from  llama  hide, 
and  each  man  had  a  breast-plate  of  hardened  leather 
of  three  thicknesses. 

"It  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  moon  that  we 
marched  for  the  pass,  and  she  had  not  grown  much 
in  size  when  we  crossed  to  the  Western  slope.  She 
was  in  all  her  grandeur  when  we  neared  the  beautiful 
city  of  Lima,  and  there  we  spread  our  ranks  in  battle 
array.  The  enemy  came  forth  to  m.eet  us.  We  had 
expected  a  goodly  fight,  man  to  man,  spear  against 
spear  and  arrow  sent  whistling  against  arrow:  we 
had  expected  some  of  the  missiles  to  wound,  others 
to  kill,  and  still  others  to  become  fastened  in  the 
leather  bucklers.  But  no.  From  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy  came  lines  of  flame ;  the  screech  of  something 
filled  the  air.  Then  our  men  began  to  fall,  one  by 
one,  twos  by  twos,  until  they  fell  company  by  com- 
pany, but  not  an  arrow  could  we  see  in  air  between 
us  and  the  moon. 

"I  had  heard  of  gunpowder  and  so  had  many  of 
those  who  were  with  me,  but  for  me  and  for  them 
it  was  something  new  and  terrible  to  hear  and  see. 
We  could  fight  men  until  the  last  of  us  lay  dead,  but 
these  were  demons,  and  so  we  turned  and  fled,  aye, 
every  man,  even  I,  for  the  terror  was  fastened  upon 
us.  We  ran  wildly  and  far,  and  when  the  day  broke 
we  were  but  little  bands,  climbing  up  the  hillsides 
like  mountain  goats. 

"And  then  I  came  back  over  the  mountain  range 
to  this  spot,  where  I  made  a  clearing  and  builded  a 


Prologue  7 

hut.  I  sent  word  to  others  of  my  tribe  that  it  would 
be  death  for  one  of  them  to  come  and  seek  me.  They 
well  knew  that  what  I  promised  would  be  done.  I 
gave  up  all,  my  mother,  my  father,  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, and  a  princess  of  the  house  of  Cuzco,  whom  I 
was  promised  by  my  parents  to  wed  and  whom.  I 
dearly  loved.  She  sent  me  word  by  a  messenger  one 
day,  but  even  as  he  spoke  her  sayings  I  pierced  him 
with  an  arrow." 

He  was  silent  for  full  five  minutes,  then,  his  tone 
changing  to  the  musical  notes  they  had  remarked 
when  he  had  bid  them  welcom.e,  he  said: 

''You  doubtless  wonder  why  you  were  allowed  to 
enter.  I  will  not  tell  you  now,  although  I  may  some 
day.  I  urge  you,  forsake  your  mission  and  turn  your 
faces  to  the  West,  where  lies  that  which  they  call 
civilization." 

The  lads  made  gestures  of  dissent,  and  the  old  Inca 
chief — for  his  narrative  had  told  them  he  was  of  the 
noble  race — stroked  their  heads  as  if  pleased  at  their 
determination.  A  few"  minutes  later  he  advised  them 
to  seek  rest,  and  piling  some  llama  rugs  in  a  corner 
he  bade  them  lie  there.  As  they  gradually  yielded  to 
slumber,  they  saw  him  seated  near,  gazing  at  them 
intently  and  tenderly. 

The  rains  ceased  before  morning,  and  after  the  boys 
had  breakfasted  they  prepared  to  return  to  the  camp 
they  had  left  the  day  before. 

''You  will  not  give  up  the  search?"  asked  the  Inca. 

"No,  sir,"  they  replied. 

"Then  visit  me  again,"  he  said. 


8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

They  did  so;  they  called  at  the  little  hut  in  the 
clearing  week  after  week  until  one  season  had  passed. 
In  the  meanwhile  curiosity  gave  place  to  respect  and 
veneration,  and  then  into  their  hearts  came  love  for 
the  grand  old  recluse  whose  life,  years  and  years  be- 
fore, had  been  so  like  what  theirs  was  now.  One  day, 
when  he  had  questioned  them  again  as  to  their  pur- 
pose and  had  urged  them  once  more  to  desist,  only 
to  receive  a  firm  refusal,  the  Inca  drew  them  to  the 
center  of  the  room  and  said : 

"My  masters,  you  shall  have  your  vv^ish.  Your  vow 
shall  be  fulfilled.  Look  not  at  me  with  surprise,  when 
I  so  address  you,  for  you  are  my  masters.  I  know 
this  from  what  history  you  give  of  yourselves  and 
from  the  lines  in  your  faces.  I  thought  as  m.uch  the 
night  you  first  came  to  my  home,  and  the  proof  has 
become  stronger  day  by  day.  I  am  descended  of 
kings,  but  you  are  nearer  of  kin  to  them  than  I. 
The  vow  you  took  was  to  restore  Peru  to  the  rank 
she  once  held,  to  make  her  again  a  powerful  nation. 
You  shall  fulfill  it ;  you  shall  match  gold  against  their 
gold ;  you  shall  fire  powder  against  their  powder,  and 
give  them  leaden  hail  for  their  leaden  hail.  Come 
with  me,  out  into  the  bright  light,  where  the  Great 
Father  may  better  witness  what  I  require  and  what 
you  will  promise,"  and  he  led  the  way  from  the  hut 
to  the  clearing. 

The  forest  was  alive  with  birds  that  chorused  rich 
music,  the  air  was  scented  with  sweet  odors  from 
flowers  of  the  jungle;  rainbow-colored  butterflies 
floated  lazily  overhead,  humming  birds  darted  to  and 


Prologue  9 

fro  like  tinted  needles.  In  the  far  distance  rose  the 
majestic  Andes,  their  patriarchal  peaks  covered  with 
eternal  snow. 

''Kneel,"  said  the  Inca,  when  they  had  reached  the 
center  of  the  clearing,  and  he  took  off  his  broad  som- 
brero, letting  his  long,  white  hair,  as  fine  as  silk,  wave 
in  the  light  breeze.  His  voice  was  sonorous  and  its 
ring  caused  a  bird  to  start  from  a  tree  nearby. 

The  lads  did  as  he  commanded,  and  looked  up  at 
his  face  in  wonder. 

"Promise  me,"  the  old  chief  said,  "that  when  you 
have  made  of  Peru  a  great  nation,  and  when  the  other 
nations  of  the  earth  are  humbled  at  your  feet,  that 
you  will  change  the  name  of  this  country  to  Inca- 
land,  so  that  our  great  race  shall  be  honored  forever, 
and  that  you  will  have  erected  at  Cuzco  a  temple,  in 
which  shall  be  placed  the  arms  of  our  chiefs  and 
under  which  shall  rest  the  bones  of  our  ancestors, 
which  I  will  point  out  to  you." 

Wondering,  yet  trusting,  the  young  men  repHed: 
"We  promise." 

He  bade  them  rise,  led  them  back  to  the  hut,  and, 
after  a  Hght  repast,  he  took  his  long  staff  and  telling 
them  to  follow,  plunged  into  the  forest. 

The  old  Inca  followed  a  southwesterly  course,  bear- 
ing toward  the  spur  of  the  Andes,  and  until  long  after 
sundown  he  maintained  a  pace  that  proved  difficult 
for  even  such  robust  lads  as  his  companions  to  keep. 
When  at  last  he  called  a  halt,  they  were  at  the  edge 
of  the  forest,  several  miles  nearer  the  snow-capped 
peaks. 


lo  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"In  the  morning  we  will  follow  that  path/'  said  he, 
pointing  due  west.     "We  will  rest  here  to-night." 

Dried  goats'  flesh  and  water  from  a  brook  com- 
prised their  supper;  then  they  made  beds  of  dry  grass. 
The  stars  soon  came  out  and  the  Southern  Cross  rose 
in  a  soft  effulgence  of  the  Milky  Way,  to  be  dimmed 
later  by  the  Southern  moon. 

"My  children,"  said  the  chief,  breaking  a  silence 
of  many  minutes,  "the  night  has  come  when  I  can 
once  more  see  the  land  of  my  fathers,  for  it  was  here 
that  our  tribe  held  sway.  I  have  prayed  for  this 
hour.  I  am  an  old  Inca  now,  and  am  weary  and 
worn  with  waiting.  I  have  kept  the  secret  of  the 
treasure-house  given  me  by  my  father,  and  which 
he  received  from  his  father.  There  was  none  left  for 
me  to  give  it  to,  and  it  was  to  die  with  me.  Then 
you  came.  It  is  well.  To  you  I  will  commit  the 
cherished  hopes  of  our  people.  When  morning  comes 
I  will  lead  you  down  among  the  defiles  and  the  chasms, 
down  under  those  snow-clad  peaks  by  a  path  that 
none  has  crossed  in  half  a  century.  Now  let  us  sleep, 
my  children." 

He  drew  his  blanket  close  and  said  no  more.  The 
boys  sat  for  awhile,  listening  to  the  sounds  that  came 
from  the  forest,  then  they  yielded  to  Nature's  spell. 

The  sun  was  painting  the  snow  peaks  a  delicate 
rose  when  they  were  called,  and  they  gazed  somewhat 
in  amazement  at  their  venerable  guide,  for  his  voice 
had  lost  its  sweetness  of  the  day  before.  Then  they 
noticed  that  his  eyes  were  staring  and  were  not  so 
bright,  that  his  cheeks  were  more  sunken  and  that 


Prolog-ue  II 

he  breathed  rapidly  as  he  pulled  from  his  girdle  the 
pieces  of  cornbread  and  dried  meat  that  were  to 
comprise  their  morning's  meal.  He  did  not  permit 
them  to  linger  even  over  this  light  repast,  but  soon 
said :  "We  have  a  long  and  weary  journey  to  make. 
Let  us  be  gone." 

Soon  after  they  started,  Louis  and  Pedro  noticed 
that  they  were  nearing  the  hills  at  a  more  direct 
angle  and  also  that  the  descent  was  becoming  more 
precipitous.  At  noon  they  stopped  at  the  base  of  a 
mountain  that  stood  out  from  others  of  the  chain. 
The  Inca  bade  them  be  seated  in  the  shade  of  a 
bowlder,  and  taking  a  horn  from  his  girdle  he  gave 
them  water  to  drink  and  some  more  of  the  goats' 
flesh  for  food.  When  the  shadow  cast  by  the  sun 
marked  that  an  hour  had  passed  he  beckoned  them 
to  start  again,  and,  turning  quickly,  led  the  way  into 
a  narrow  opening  in  the  rocks.  The  lads  at  first 
thought  themselves  in  a  tunnel,  it  was  so  dark,  but 
upon  looking  up  they  saw  the  sky  far  above  them, 
and  knew  then  that  they  were  in  a  deep  chasm. 

"The  mountain  is  split  in  twain,"  said  the  Inca, 
and  his  voice  reverberated  through  the  confined 
space. 

Instead  of  leading,  as  he  had  done  since  leaving 
the  little  hut  in  the  clearing,  the  Inca  now  came 
between  the  boys  and  spoke  to  them  often,  bidding 
them  not  walk  too  fast. 

Narrower  and  narrower  grew  the  defile  as  though 
the  great  walls  of  rock  were  closing  together  above 
them  and  the  three  could  hardly  walk  abreast.    They 


12  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

proceeded  thus  for  a  long  time  until  they  came  to 
what  seemed  to  be  the  end  of  the  passage.  But  the 
Inca  turned,  pulled  some  stones  aside  and  there  was 
revealed  a  hole,  large  enough  to  admit  a  man.  Into 
this  place,  which  was  as  black  as  night,  the  boys 
followed  him,  and  taking  them  by  the  hands  he  felt 
his  way  cautiously  for  perhaps  five  minutes,  when  a 
ray  of  light  pierced  the  gloom.  Just  then  Louis  ex- 
claimed:   ''Don't  you  hear,  Pedro?" 

"What?"    the  brother  anxiously  asked. 

"Why,  breakers!" 

As  they  listened  there  came  a  dull  boom  that  grew 
louder  with  every  step  and  the  passage  became  bright- 
er and  brighter,  until  not  ten  minutes  from  the  time 
they  entered  the  narrow  way  they  emerged  upon  a 
broad  plateau — a  mountain  behind  them,  a  mountain 
on  the  south,  a  mountain  on  the  north  and  the 
Pacific  Ocean  in  front,  the  waves  dashing  to  their 
feet. 

"Come,"  said  the  Inca  sadly,  "let  us  push  forward 
among  these  rocks,  that  I  may  show  you  where  the 
treasure  of  the  imperial  tribe  has  been  kept  these 
many  years.    Hasten,  that  it  may  not  be  too  late." 

They  looked  at  him  in  surprise,  because  of  these 
words,  but  he  had  already  turned  and  was  walking 
away  as  erect  as  on  the  night  when  they  first  saw 
him,  so  they  followed  and  were  led  to  the  opening 
of  what  appeared  to  be  a  cave.  Once  within  and 
their  eyes  accustomed  to  the  dim  light,  they  saw  it 
was  a  vaulted  chamber,  stored  with  the  wealth  which 
had  belonged  to  ancient  Peru.     Gold  was  everywhere, 


Prologue  13 

pure  yellow  gold,  in  bars,  in  cubes  and  in  squares.  The 
place  glowed  vv^ith  the  precious  metal ;  it  was  scattered 
about  carelessly,  in  lavish  mockery. 

The  Inca  seated  himself  upon  a  slab  of  gold  that 
had  been  placed  near  the  entrance  and  looked  fondly 
about  him.  He  was  weak  now,  so  weak  that  he  could 
have  traveled  no  further,  even  had  it  been  necessary. 
He  admitted  this  to  the  lads,  who  stood  speechless 
in  the  midst  of  this  v/onderful  treasure,  and  as  he 
spoke  he  breathed  deep  and  heavily. 

"You  are  here,"  he  said  s]owly,  ''and  now  my  hour 
is  near.  The  gold  is  yours,  for  you  are  of  the  im- 
perial tribe  and  born  to  lead  in  the  deliverance  of 
our  people.  Plain  to  you  now  is  the  secret  for  which 
men  have  bartered  their  lives  and  for  which  a  nation 
would  be  offered  me  in  exchange.  I  pass  it  to  you 
freely,  believing  that  some  day  it  will  enable  you  to 
secure  the  ships  and  the  soldiers  that  will  restore 
Peru  to  her  place  among  nations.  The  way  we  have 
come  is  known  only  to  you.  A  stone's  throw  from 
this  chamber  lies  the  harbor,  where  small  boats  may 
enter  and  depart  without  fear  of  discovery. 

"Now,  my  children,  that  you  have  seen  this  wealth 
of  our  once  great  race,  pass  on  through  the  chamber 
into  the  sepulchre  beyond,  where  you  will  find  the 
bones  of  our  ancestors.  Many  chiefs  have  been  car- 
ried there  by  night  in  the  ages  that  are  passed,  and 
there  their  bodies  have  been  allowed  to  rest.  Let  them 
he  until  you  shall  rebuild  the  temple  at  Cuzco.  When 
I  am  dead,  place  my  poor  body  with  them,  so  that  I 


14  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

may  be  at  rest.  Now  go,  and  see  where  the  ancient 
Incas  watch  beside  the  sea." 

Pedro  and  Louis  went  in  the  direction  he  had 
pointed,  and  passing  through  an  archway  at  the  end 
of  the  treasure  house  found  themselves  in  a  Hghted 
tomb  of  grand  proportions,  yet  from  where  the  light 
came  they  could  not  tell,  and  on  every  hand  they  saw 
evidences  of  death — death  that  had  belonged  to  past 
ages,  when  Peruvian  kings  and  priests  were  borne 
to  their  last  resting  place  amid  the  wailing  of  the 
people  and  the  wafting  of  sweet  incense.  The  floor 
was  of  beaten  gold,  the  walls  were  of  beaten  gold, 
and  the  high  dome  above  was  lined  with  the  metal. 
The  light  was  that  of  a  yellow  sunset  and  revealed 
rows  of  grim  figures.  They  were  in  a  sitting  posture 
were  these  kings  of  the  Incas,  for  it  was  the  habit  of 
(the  race  to  so  place  their  rulers  when  life  had  fled. 
Here  and  there  was  a  space  and  the  body  was  on  the 
floor,  probably  thrown  by  an  earthquake  that  had 
disturbed  the  everlasting  sleep.  Massive  circlets  of 
jewels  and  curiously  formed  ornaments  abounded, 
proving  that  in  life  these  men  had  been  rich  as  well 
as  powerful. 

While  the  lads  stood  there,  gazing  in  speechless 
wonder  at  the  solemn  spectacle,  a  cry  came  from 
among  the  rocks,  a  shrill  cry,  almost  a  scream,  that 
caused  them  to  turn  pale  and  clasp  one  another's 
hands. 

They  started  toward  the  opening  and  were  running 
when  they  emerged  from  the  treasure  house.  The 
cry  was  heard  again  as  they  came  out ;  it  was  louder, 


Prologue  15 

but  by  this  time  they  were  away  from  the  echoes  and 
they  recognized  the  solemn  high  note  chant  of  the 
Incas. 

Kneehng  near  the  sea,  gazing  westward,  his  eyes 
fixed  on  the  setting  sun,  was  the  Inca  chief. 

They  stepped  softly  to  his  side  and  waited  till  he 
should  turn  around.  Slower  and  slower  came  the 
weird  chant  from  his  lips,  lower  and  lower  became 
his  voice;  down,  down  sank  the  sun,  until  it  was  a 
glorious  red  ball  on  the  horizon,  then  began  to  dis- 
appear as  though  into  the  sea. 

"My  children,"  the  Inca  gasped,  turning  toward 
them  with  difficulty,  and  holding  out  his  long,  thin 
arms. 

They  sank  on  their  knees  by  his  side. 

"Promise  again,"  he  whispered. 

"We  promise." 

A  crimson  segment  of  the  sun  rested  for  a  second 
on  the  bosom  of  the  dark  green  ocean,  then  a  wave 
covered  it.     The  old  Inca  fell  forward,  dead. 


CHAPTER    I. 
STRANGE   SIGHTS   ON  THE   CHINCHAS. 

The  Chincha  Islands  are  off  the  southwest  coast 
of  Peru,  about  fourteen  miles  distant,  as  the  crow 
flies.  They  are  three  in  number  and  are  noted  among 
navigators  for  their  deep  water  approaches,  the  largest 
ships  in  the  world  being  able  to  anchor  within  a  few 
cables'  length  of  shore.  The  United  States  Navy 
Department  looked  upon  these  islands  with  favor  at 
one  time  for  a  coaling  station  in  the  South  Pacific, 
and  several  surveys  were  made  of  the  group,  to  deter- 
mine their  availability,  but  no  decisive  proposition 
was  ever  made  to  Peru  concerning  their  acquisition. 
Thousands  of  ship  loads  of  guano  were  taken  from 
the  Chinchas  during  the  seventies  and  large  fortunes 
were  made  by  foreign  investors.  The  fertilizer  covered 
the  islands  to  the  depth  of  several  feet,  and  this  com- 
merce did  not  cease  until  it  had  all  been  removed.  The 
marketable  product  once  removed,  the  islands  were 
deserted,  for  they  were  only  great  rocks  in  the 
ocean,  with  not  a  green  leaf  to  be  seen  and  nothing 
on  their  surface  worth  the  calling  for. 

It  caused  considerable  comment,  therefore,  when  a 
ship's  captain  reported  that  he  had  sighted  two  ves- 
sels anchored  off  the  Chinchas  and  that  he  had  seen 
heavy  clouds  of  smoke  rising  from  the  group.  This 
news  was  first  brought  to  Callao  and  related  to  the 

17 


i8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

vessel  owners  who  daily  meet  and  gossip  in  a  ship 
chandler's  shop  on  the  Calle  dos  de  Mayo.  Their  final 
conclusion  was  that  whalers,  driven  far  north  by  ad- 
verse winds,  were  *'trying-out"  on  land  while  repairs 
were  being  made  by  the  ships'  crews. 

Several  months  later  it  was  reported  that  a  large 
steamer  had  been  sighted  at  the  islands,  and  as  there 
could  be  no  reason  for  even  a  "tramp"  vessel  visiting 
the  abandoned  spot,  commercial  houses  of  the  west 
coast  became  much  exercised  and  curious  to  know  the 
reason  for  such  activity  in  a  place  where,  it  was 
thought,  there  was  nothing  left  that  was  profitable  to 
market.  One  believed  that  gold  had  been  discovered, 
another  that  nitrate  beds  had  been  found  and  a  third 
argued  that  by  blasting  away  the  rock  fresh  beds  of 
guano  had  perhaps  been  laid  bare.  Several  ship  own- 
ers ordered  their  captains  to  stop  at  the  Chinchas  on 
return  trips  and  investigate  carefully. 

This  occurred  many  years  after  the  Chile-Peruvian 
war,  indeed  long  after  the  war  between  China  and 
Japan,  in  which  modern  ironclads  were  tried  for  the 
second  time  in  actual  conflict 

It  takes  some  time  for  news  that  is  not  of  a  startling 
nature  to  reach  the  United  States  and  Europe  from 
South  America,  but  ultimately  commercial  exchanges 
in  New  York  and  London  became  exercised  over  the 
persistent  reports  concerning  the  Chincha  Islands. 
Several  ship  captains,  actuated  by  curiosity,  had  sailed 
around  the  group  and  they  reported  that  large  fac- 
tories had  been  erected  in  the  interior,  the  smoke  from 
which  could  be  seen  belching  from  high  chimneys. 


Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas     19 

They  also  noticed,  on  nearer  approach,  that  modem 
docks  had  been  constructed  and  that  settlements  had 
sprung  up  where  once  but  a  few  huts  stood.  More- 
over, vessels  were  constantly  arriving  and  departing, 
but  when  these  craft  were  spoken  there  would  be  no 
reply. 

Finally  a  captain  effected  a  landing  and  his  report  to 
his  agents,  which  was  published  by  the  press  of  two 
continents,  read  as  follows : 

"The  mole  at  which  my  whaleboat  touched  is  con- 
structed of  cement  and  is  as  well  built  as  any  I  ever 
saw.  It  is  quite  new  and  shows  little  wear.  It  is 
broad  and  a  wide  esplanade  runs  parallel  the  entire 
length.  A  sentry  stood  at  the  top  of  the  steps  and  he 
challenged  me  as  soon  as  I  left  the  boat.  Realizing 
that  I  had  met  with  an  adventure  and  beheving  that  I 
might  be  able  to  solve  the  mystery  of  these  islands  if  I 
could  secure  a  landing,  I  pleaded  lack  of  water  on 
board  and  asked  if  I  might  obtain  a  supply.  He  mo- 
tioned me  to  advance  and  called  the  corporal  of  the 
guard,  and  by  the  time  I  reached  the  top  of  the  steps 
he  was  joined  by  a  non-commissioned  officer. 

"These  soldiers  were  clad  in  black,  the  uniform 
strikingly  set  off  by  silver  buttons  and  braid.  The 
chevrons  on  the  corporal's  sleeves  were  of  silver. 
There  were  a  number  of  soldiers  about,  some  doing- 
sentry  duty,  others  idhng.  All  were  clad  in  this  som- 
bre uniform. 

"I  had  little  time  to  observe  more,  except  that  a 
town  had  been  built  back  of  the  mole — one  which,  I 
should  say,  could  accommodate  three  thousand  in- 


20  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

habitants — for  I  was  at  once  escorted  to  a  guard  house, 
where  I  was  told  I  must  remain  until  the  Almirante 
arrived.  It  was  added  that  I  need  not  consider  myself 
a  prisoner  and  that  I  could  at  any  moment  return  to 
my  ship,  sliould  I  so  desire.  I  assured  the  corporal 
that  I  preferred  to  await  the  arrival  of  his  superior 
officer,  whereupon  he  stationed  two  guards  near  me, 
saying  that  it  was  forbidden  for  anyone  to  leave  the 
esplanade  and  visit  the  town  without  an  order  from  the 
Almirante. 

''I  was  then  left  alone  with  the  sentinels,  v/ho  paced 
up  and  down  in  front.  I  spoke  to  them  several  times, 
but  might  as  well  have  addressed  blocks  of  stone,  for  I 
received  no  reply.  The  guard  house  faced  the  sea  and 
I  had  no  view  of  this  strange  town  or  anything  per- 
taining thereto,  except  the  mole  and  a  section  of  the 
esplanade. 

"I  waited  m  this  place  fully  two  hours  and  was  fall- 
ing asleep — the  day  being  hot  and  close — when  I  was 
aroused  by  the  clatter  of  hoofs  and  the  rattle  of  ac- 
coutrements. A  moment  later  one  of  a  dozen  men 
who  had  dismounted  from  horses  entered  the  guard 
house.  His  appearance  was  striking,  his  face  one  I 
shall  never  forget.  The  complexion  was  quite  dark 
and  the  features,  thin  and  finely  chiseled,  were  those  of 
the  Indians  who  inhabit  the  Peruvian  interior.  As  he 
took  ofl"  a  three-cornered  hat  I  noticed  that  his  hair 
was  gray,  in  fact  almost  white ;  and  this  makes  me  un- 
certain as  to  his  age,  for  his  face  bespoke  him  a  man 
under  forty,  perhaps  less  than  thirty,  while  his  hair 
made  him  appear  much  older.     He  was  clad  in  a  black- 


Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas     21 

uniform,  the  same  as  his  troopers,  but  the  material  was 
much  finer.  Upon  the  left  breast  of  his  coat  was  what 
I  at  first  thought  was  a  large  gold  star,  but  upon 
closer  inspection  I  made  it  out  to  be  a  golden  sun. 

"He  asked  what  I  wished,  and  I  repeated  what 
I  had  said  to  the  sentry,  that  my  ship  was  short  of 
water. 

"His  reply  was,  that  a  lighter  would  at  once  be  dis- 
patched to  the  vessel  and  that  my  wants  would  be 
cared  for. 

"Somewhat  puzzled  to  come  at  what  I  really  de- 
sired— to  see  more  of  the  island — I  asked  him  if  I 
might  take  a  stroll  around  town,  as  it  had  been  a 
long  time  since  I  had  stretched  my  legs  on  shore. 

"At  once  a  change  came  over  his  face.  He  had  been 
looking  at  me  earnestly,  but  now  he  smiled  and  said 
softly,  but  firmly : 

"  'So  your  tale  is  told  only  as  an  excuse  that  you 
may  pry  into  our  affairs!  Your  purpose  in  coming 
here  is  to  act  the  spy.  It  would  serve  you  right  if  I 
had  you  shot,  but  I  will  content  myself  this  time  with 
expelling  you  from  the  islands  in  a  manner  that  you 
will  remember  and  which  will  serve  as  a  warning  to 
you  and  other  inquisitives  not  to  return.' 

"He  turned  to  his  guards  and  said  a  few  words. 
Two  men  seized  me  and  I  was  taken  in  a  most  uncere- 
monious manner  to  the  steps  of  the  mole,  being  com- 
pelled to  run  at  the  highest  speed ;  and  when  finally  we 
reached  the  steps  I  was  picked  up  and  thrown  into  the 
sea,  from  which  I  was  rescued  by  my  boat's  crew. 

"I  was  able  to  learn  nothing,  therefore,  except  that 


22  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  largest  island  of  the  Chinchas  has  acquired  quite  a 
population,  that  manufacturing  is  being  done  on  a 
large  scale  and  that  the  place  is  closely  guarded  by 
soldiers,  all  of  whom  are  evidently  uniformed  in  the 
striking  black  and  silver.  I  was  addressed  in  English, 
but  the  ofBcers,  in  speaking  to  one  another,  used  Span- 
ish/' 

This  report  was  seized  upon  with  avidity  by  the 
newspapers  and  was  published  in  every  country  of  the 
civilized  world  and  in  every  tongue,  so  that  it  became 
a  matter  of  comment  in  both  the  old  world  and  the 
new.  Some  ridiculed  its  authenticity,  others  censured 
the  writer  for  exaggeration,  and  the  third  class,  be- 
lieving what  it  read,  at  once  began  to  theorize. 

The  owners  of  the  ship  that  had  stopped  at  the  Chin- 
chas assured  the  British  Government  that  the  captain 
who  had  made  the  report  was  thoroughly  reliable  and 
a  person  whose  word  they  had  not  the  slightest  cause 
to  doubt.  Thereupon  the  matter  came  up  for  discus- 
sion in  the  House  of  Commons.  The  leader  of  the 
opposition  took  it  for  the  subject  of  an  address  that 
lasted  an  entire  evening.  The  Government's  weak  for- 
eign policy,  he  said,  made  such  things  possible.  There 
were  cries  of  ''Hear !  Hear !"  at  this  telHng  blow  to  the 
administration.  It  was  evident,  the  opposition  leader 
added,  that  a  great  conspiracy  against  the  British  Em- 
pire was  being  concocted  in  the  South  Pacific.  He 
had  received  private  advices  on  this  subject  and  knew 
that  the  country  was  in  danger. 

"But  why  should  I  tell  you  this?"  he  almost 
screamed,   rising  to   his  full   height.      "There   is  the 


Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas    23 

man  who  should  keep  you  informed,"  and  he  shook 
his  finger  at  the  Government  leader.  "He  should  be 
in  receipt  of  all  this  information.  But  is  he?  And  if 
he  is,  what  is  he  doing?  I  tell  you,  sirs,  the  slothful 
policy  of  the  Government  is  directly  responsible  for  the 
present  condition  of  affairs." 

In  replying  to  the  question  the  Government  leader 
assured  the  House  that  negotiations  were  pending  be- 
tween the  Peruvian  Government  and  the  British  Min- 
i?ter  Resident  at  Lima  that  would  undoubtedly  have  a 
satisfactory  termination.  He  asked  that  the  Govern- 
m.ent  be  not  urged  at  the  present  time  to  divulge  its 
line  of  action  or  enter  into  details,  for  he  was  certain 
that  when  the  public  became  aware  what  steps  had 
been  taken  to  safeguard  British  interests  the  Govern- 
ment's course  would  be  approved. 

The  address  was  cheered  by  the  members  on  the 
Government  benches  and  was  hissed  by  the  opposition. 
A  division  was  called  for  and  the  Government  was  sus- 
tained, whereupon  the  House  adjourned. 

The  action  referred  to  during  debate  was  this :  The 
British  Minister  Resident  at  Lima  had  asked  the  Pres- 
ident of  Peru  whether  the  Chincha  Islands  had  been 
sold  to  another  nation,  if  so  to  what  power  and  Vv^hen 
had  the  transfer  been  made.  xA.n  immediate  reply  was 
to  the  effect  that  the  Chinchas  had  not  been  sold,  that 
they  were  still  the  property  of  Peru  and  that  the  Peru- 
vian Government  was  responsible  for  any  act  that 
might  be  committed  on  the  territory.  The  receipt  of 
this  reply  at  the  British  Foreign  Of^ce  caused  quite  a 
flurry  in  official  circles.    The  last  clause  especially  was 


24  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

a  matter  of  much  surprise.  No  question  had  been  put 
to  Peru  regarding  responsibility  for  acts,  so  that  this 
answer  touched  decisively  upon  a  subject  that  the 
great  power  had  not  mentioned.  Some  of  the  ofBcials 
said  it  was  an  impudent  rejoinder.  They  had  never  re- 
ceived such  an  independent  message  from  one  of  the 
South  American  countries  and  were  at  a  loss  to  under- 
stand what  was  meant  by  this  departure  from  the  cus- 
tomary timorous  notes  that  the  States  below  the 
equator  had  been  in  the  habit  of  sending. 

There  was  a  consultation  of  men  high  in  the  Gov- 
ernment party  and  a  long  discussion  of  the  best  policy 
to  pursue  under  the  circumstances.  A  few  were  in 
favor  of  sending  war  ships  to  the  Chinchas  and  seiz- 
ing them  until  Peru  apologized  for  the  indignity  of- 
fered the  British  captain.  This  plan  was  vetoed  by  the 
majority,  which  pointed  in  the  direction  of  America; 
for  of  recent  years  the  United  States  had  evinced  a 
determination  to  enforce  the  Monroe  doctrine.  The 
result  of  the  conference  was  that  the  Government  de- 
cided to  do  nothing  for  the  time  being,  except  to  order 
a  man-of-war  to  cruise  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chinchas 
and  make  such  observations  as  were  possible  without 
offending  the  Peruvians.  So  far  as  the  opposition  was 
concerned  it  was  decided  to  avoid  direct  answers  in  the 
House  so  long  as  possible  and  await  developments. 

All  this  debate  and  diplomatic  correspondence  occu- 
pied nearly  a  year,  and  during  this  time  some  remark- 
able facts  had  come  to  light  in  different  parts  of  the 
world.  It  became  known  that  many  steamships,  carry- 
ing iron  ore,  and  others  laden  with  coal,  had  left  the 


Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas     25 

United  States  for  South  America  and  that  their  des- 
tination was  something  of  a  mystery.  It  was  supposed, 
when  the  first  cargoes  left,  that  they  were  destined  for 
one  of  the  large  coast  cities  on  the  east  or  west  of  the 
great  peninsula,  and  as  the  hulls  that  carried  them 
were  commonly  known  as  ''tramps"  no  one  took  par- 
ticular notice  as  to  the  length  of  the  voyage  or  the 
time  of  return.  Trade  papers  soon  began  to  notice  the 
heavy  exports  of  iron  ore  and  said  that  it  was  evident 
the  republics  below  the  equator  were  planning  to  enter 
the  manufacturing  markets  of  the  world. 

The  pubHshed  letter  from  the  British  sea  captain 
caused  more  interest  to  be  taken  in  the  mysterious  de- 
partures and  arrivals  of  strange  craft,  for  it  was  be- 
lieved that  the  solution  of  the  mystery  lay  in  the  Chin- 
cha  Islands.  A  comparison  of  notes  made  by  a  large 
commercial  house  which  had  agents  in  the  United 
States,  England,  Germany,  France  and  Spain,  showed 
that  during  five  years  over  four  hundred  vessel  loads  of 
various  products  had  been  carried  from  the  large  sea- 
ports of  the  world  to  some  point  in  South  America. 
The  customs  house  records  showed  that  these  vessels 
had  cleared  for  Peru  and  other  sub-equatorial  coun- 
tries, without  naming  a  port.  They  were  sailing  ships 
and  steamers  of  the  ''tramp"  class,  that  is  steamers 
that  do  not  belong  to  any  regular  line,  but  are  char- 
tered for  a  voyage.  Examination  of  the  charters  of 
these  vessels  showed  that  the  firm  of  Garcia  y  Garcia 
had  signed  most  of  the  papers.  Wise  men  of  the  com- 
mercial world  shook  their  heads  when  they  read  this. 
They  had  never  heard  of  such  a  house  and  it  would  be 


26  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

impossible  for  any  house  to  carry  on  such  a  stupen- 
dous business  and  not  be  known  to  them.  There 
must  be  some  mistake.  But  those  who  had  made  the 
investigation  insisted  there  was  no  mistake ;  however, 
they  were  not  the  less  puzzled  for  an  explanation.  But 
all  this  time  other  important  facts  were  becoming 
known.  It  was  learned  that  iron  ore  and  coal  were 
not  the  only  cargoes  carried  around  the  Horn  and 
through  the  Straits  of  Magellan.  A  list  of  the  products 
shipped  from  American  ports  was  compiled  by  a  trade 
paper  and  was  found  to  contain  iron  ore,  coal,  bread- 
stufifs,  meats,  canned  vegetables,  lumber,  electrical 
supplies,  silver  and  aluminum. 

Not  only  was  it  learned  at  this  time  that  vast  quan- 
tities of  supplies  were  being  shipped  to  a  port  the  name 
of  which  no  one  seemed  able  to  name,  but  it  came  to 
pubHc  notice  that  for  a  year  and  perhaps  for  several 
years  there  had  been  an  exodus  of  persons  in  this  same 
direction.  These  travelers,  none  of  whom,  so  far  as 
could  be  learned,  had  returned,  were  principally  from 
the  United  States  and  were  from  the  most  useful  ranks 
of  society.  They  were  mechanics  well  versed  in  their 
arts,  men  who  had  won  renown  in  some  degree  as  in- 
ventors, draughtsmen  and  engineers,  all  persons  who 
had  made  their  calling  their  life  study.  These  had 
simply  stated  to  friends  that  they  had  received  remun- 
erative offers  from  South  American  houses  and  would 
be  gone  several  years,  in  all  probability.  In  most  in- 
stances they  took  their  families  with  them,  but  when 
such  was  not  the  case  those  left  at  home  dependent 
were  not  forgotten ;  in  fact  they  fared  better  than  be- 


Strange  Sights  on  the  Chinchas     27 

fore  their  loved  one's  departure,  for  drafts  came  regu- 
larly and  they  were  for  sums  much  larger  than  could 
have  been  earned  in  the  States.  The  letters  containing 
these  remittances  were  postmarked  Lima  and  the  or- 
der for  money  was  always  on  a  large  German  house. 

Careful  investigation  of  this  peculiar  exodus  showed 
that  workers  in  iron  and  skilled  electricians  w^re  the 
most  numerous  of  those  who  had  departed,  but  nearly 
every  one  of  the  mechanical  arts  was  represented. 
Doctors  and  dentists  had  added  to  the  number,  pro- 
fessors from  colleges  had  been  taken,  and  it  was  also 
learned  that  a  number  of  officers  had  resigned  from 
the  army  and  navy  to  cast  their  fortunes  in  the  far- 
away place  that  had  been  drawing  loaded  ships  and 
men  for  years,  as  a  loadstone  draws  filings  of  steel. 

So  quietly  had  all  this  been  carried  on,  so  secret  had 
been  the  workings  that  the  full  realization  of  what  had 
been  done  did  not  dawn  upon  the  civilized  Vv^orld  until 
eighteen  months  after  the  British  ship  captain  made  his 
remarkable  report ;  and  then  it  was  calculated  that  the 
operations,  whatever  they  might  be,  had  been  in  prog- 
ress on  the  Chincha  Islands  nearly  ten  years. 

About  this  time  the  Navy  Department  received  the 
following  report  from  the  commander  of  the  U.  S.  S. 
Navajo,  then  stationed  in  the  South  Pacific : 

"Sir : — I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  a  new  settle- 
ment has  appeared  on  the  southern  coast  of  Peru.  It 
consists  of  half  a  dozen  houses  and  they  are  located 
between  two  promontories,  which  shut  the  little  settle- 
ment off  from  all  communication  by  land,  for  the 
promontories  are  inaccessible  spurs  of  the  Andes  jut- 


28  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ting  abruptly  into  the  Pacific.  Small  steamers  have 
made  regular  trips  between  this  point  and  the  Chincha 
Islands,  evidently  arriving  at  the  Peruvian  mainland 
in  ballast  and  leaving  with  a  cargo,  but  what  is  car- 
ried in  the  hold  or  what  comprises  the  new  commerce 
I  have  not  been  able  to  discover.  In  accordance  with 
the  department's  instructions  I  have  watched  these 
vessels,  in  order  that  I  might  determine  whether  they 
were  engaged  in  anything  that  was  contraband,  but 
have  failed  to  secure  any  proof  that  their  owners  or 
crew  were  doing  anything  but  what  was  legal.  I  have 
not  boarded  the  craft,  nor  have  I  made  my  investiga- 
tions obnoxious  in  any  manner.  As  far  as  I  am  able 
to  judge,  without  visiting  the  place,  I  can  say  that 
manufacturing  on  a  large  scale  is  being  done  on  the 
Chinchas,  and,  in  my  opinion,  either  nitrate  works 
have  been  erected  or  smelters  are  in  blast,  working 
silver." 


CHAPTER  11. 
THE    PRESIDENT    OF    PERU. 

At  this  time,  when  all  the  world  was  excited  over 
the  strange  rumors  concerning  the  Chincha  Islands, 
Fernando  y  Fernando  was  serving  his  second  term  as 
President  of  Peru.  He  was  young  to  hold  the  office, 
some  said  the  youngest  who  had  ever  been  elected  to 
the  position,  and  at  one  time  there  was  a  question 
whether  he  was  not  barred  by  the  Constitution.  But 
he  had  been  a  candidate  when  the  Presidency  was  a 
thankless  position,  when  Peru  was  bankrupt  after  the 
war  with  Chile,  and  matters  were  drifting  rapidly  from 
bad  to  worse,  the  blame,  of  course,  falling  upon  those 
in  high  official  places,  who  suffered  for  the  careless- 
ness of  those  who  had  preceded  them  many  years  be- 
fore. And  so  when  this  young  man  took  his  seat  there 
were  only  a  few  who  cared  to  even  investigate 
his  eligibility.  But  there  were  powerful  influences  at 
work  in  his  behalf. 

Fernando  y  Fernando  was  strikingly  handsome, 
although  so  dark  he  might  be  termed  swarthy  of  com- 
plexion. Not  only  did  his  color  but  his  features  an- 
nounce at  once  to  the  observer  that  he  was  of  a  differ- 
ent race  than  the  men  who  usually  hold  office  in  Lima. 
The  latter  are  Spaniards  or  descendants  of  Spaniards. 
If  not  pale,  whiter  even  than  the  Anglo-Saxon,  their 
complexion  is  sallow.    They  are  of  short  stature,  their 

29 


30  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

features  insipid,  not  having  a  pronounced  character- 
istic, and  their  eyes  are  heavy,  as  if  from  continual 
drowsiness.  President  Fernando  was  tall  and  power- 
ful of  figure ;  his  nose  might  be  termed  Grecian ;  it  cer- 
tainly was  classic,  and  his  eyes  were  like  the  eagle's. 
He  was  loved  by  all  in  the  land,  for  during  his  rule 
prosperous  times  had  come  again  and  the  people  had 
begun  to  take  more  pride  in  themselves  and  in  their 
country. 

Nine  years  before  this  time  Fernando  y  Fernando 
had  appeared  in  Lima,  a  stranger.  There  were  those 
who  said  they  had  seen  him  somewhere  before,  but 
just  where,  they  could  not  say ;  his  face  was  familiar, 
but  try  as  they  might  that  was  all  they  could  recall. 
Some  averred  that  he  had  come  from  an  interior  prov- 
ince, but  just  what  town  they  knew  not  and  they  had 
nothing  but  their  own  words  to  support  their  state- 
ment ;  others  thought  they  had  met  him  in  the  South. 
Because  of  this  latter  assertion  he  was  looked 
upon  with  suspicion  for  a  short  while.  The  recent 
enemies  of  Peru  had  come  from  the  South,  and  the 
natives  did  not  know  but  he  had  been  sent  into  their 
midst  to  keep  the  victors  informed  as  to  events  follow- 
ing the  war.  But  the  apparent  simplicity  of  Fernando 
y  Fernando  soon  dispelled  these  thoughts  and  he  came 
to  be  regarded  with  esteem. 

He  had  not  been  in  the  capital  a  year  before  every 
house  was  open  to  him  and  he  was  a  favored  guest. 
He  was  not  known  to  have  any  definite  occupation, 
hut  he  always  seemed  busy,  conferring  with  one 
and  then  another  and  making  friends  wherever  he 


The  President  of  Peru  31 

could.  He  was  apparently  never  at  a  loss  for  money, 
and  although  he  did  not  entertain  lavishly  nor  fool- 
ishly, there  was  always  hospitality  shov/n  at  the  large 
house  Vv'hich  he  rented  near  the  Plaza  dos  de  Mayo.  To 
form  many  acquaintances,  to  m^ake  all  the  friends  he 
could,  seemed  to  be  the  young  man's  ambition. 
V/ithal  he  was  dignified  and  his  chief  attractiveness 
was  his  magnetic  earnestness.  In  his  conversation 
there  was  one  chord  upon  which  he  played  more  than 
upon  others,  the  chord  of  patriotism.  His  bearing  in- 
dicated the  fierce  fires  of  love  and  hate,  the  powers  to 
build  and  destroy ;  at  this  time  his  every  effort  seemed 
to  be  for  his  country,  Peru ;  he  was  soon  called  a 
patriot. 

One  day  he  surprised  the  politicians  by  announcing 
himself  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency.  Some  of  the 
barnacles  in  office  laughed  and  shrugged  their  shoul- 
ders ;  he  was  not  known,  they  said,  and  moreover,  he 
was  not  one  of  them. 

But  while  the  politicians  smiled,  the  business  men 
and  other  men  of  standing  in  the  community  assumed 
a  dififerent  attitude.  After  thinking  of  the  matter  they 
concluded  that  the  selection  might  prove  a  wise  one. 

"So,"  said  a  banker  to  a  politician,  "why  not?  Senor 
Fernando  y  Fernando  is  conservative,  he  loves  his 
country,  he  is  dignified,  yet  he  is  popular,  especially 
with  the  merchants,  and  he  must  be  a  good  financier, 
for  he  knows  how  to  care  for  his  own  money,  which  is 
the  first  principle  in  financing." 

Then  the  politicians  quit  smiling  and  went  to  work 
against  the  invader,  as  they  termed  him. 


32  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

It  was  inexplicable  to  those  who  watched  from  the 
outside,  this  sudden  appearance  of  a  stranger  who  was 
approved  for  the  highest  position  in  the  land  by  the 
most  powerful  class  in  Peru.  One  business  house  in 
Lima  that  had  never  entered  politics  supported  the 
cause  of  Fernando  y  Fernando  with  such  vigor  as  to 
cause  comment,  but  as  the  corporation  was  the  oldest 
in  Lima  and  its  directors  the  most  conservative  all  that 
could  be  said  only  aided  the  young  man  thus  cham- 
pioned. It  happened  to  be  a  year  when  the  people 
were  weary  of  politicians  and  were  waiting  an  oppor- 
tunity to  rebuke  and  overthrow  them.  Hence  they 
paid  heed  to  the  weighty  appeals  made  in  behalf  of 
the  new  statesman,  eagerly  listened  to  his  speeches  and 
became  impressed  with  his  bearing  and  his  eloquence. 
These  addresses  by  the  young  man  became  matters  for 
comment  as  far  north  as  Ecuador  and  as  far  south  as 
Bolivia.  He  spoke  in  glowing  terms  of  the  great  fu- 
ture that  lay  before  Peru  if  the  people  would  but  listen 
to  his  counsel,  and  he  promised  that  before  many  years 
passed  he  would  show  them  the  way  to  right  the 
wrongs  they  had  endured.  Those  who  listened  came 
from  the  great  mass  meetings  convinced  that  the 
speaker  had  some  reason  for  making  the  promises  he 
did,  although  had  they  been  asked  why  they  thought 
so,  they  would  have  found  it  difficult  to  answer. 

Becoming  alarmed,  the  politicians  cast  about  for 
material  with  which  to  attack  the  candidate,  and  find- 
ing none  they  reverted  to  the  charge  first  mentioned, 
that  none  knew  from  whence  he  had  come,  and  they 
added  that  in  all  probability  he  was  an  alien  and  con- 


The  President  of  Peru  33 

sequently  ineligible  to  office.  Fernando  y  Fernando 
met  the  charge  at  a  great  public  meeting  held  in 
Lima,  saying  as  introductory  to  an  address : 

'They  hint  that  I  am  an  alien !  Yet  from  the  cradle 
I  have  watched  the  waves  plash  up  on  Mar  Bravo 
beach,  upon  the  land  that  once  belonged  to  those  from 
whom  I  sprang.  I  say  that  this  fair  land  did  once 
upon  a  time  so  belong;  not  now,  for  the  parasites 
who  would  howl  me  down,  upon  one  pretext  or  the 
other,  are  the  temporary  possessors  of  the  soil.  I  say 
out  upon  them,  as  well  as  out  upon  the  Chileans,  the 
Spaniards  and  all  others  who  would  claim  that  which 
belongs  to  Peruvians." 

Election  day  drew  near  and  so  intense  had  become 
the  excitement  that  there  was  fear  of  a  revolution,  and 
foreign  warships  then  in  Callao  landed  marines  to 
guard  the  consulates  where  the  more  timid  sought 
refuge.  But  the  day  the  ballots  were  cast  passed  tran- 
quilly, and  when  the  votes  were  counted  the  returns 
showed  that  Fernando  y  Fernando  had  been  elected 
by  an  overwhelming  majority.  The  people  had  voted 
for  him ;  the  politicians  against. 

Though  defeated  the  latter  did  not  remain  long 
quiet.  Within  a  year  they  took  active  steps  toward 
having  the  President  impeached.  They  declared  that 
he  had  violated  his  oath  of  office  by  giving  away  state 
lands  to  moneyed  men,  and  in  making  these  charges 
they  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  candidacy  of 
Fernando  y  Fernando  had  been  warmly  espoused  by 
the  leading  bankers  of  Lima.  The  charge  had  an  ugly 
appearance,  especially  as  it  was  accompanied  by  de- 


34  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

tails.  It  was  said  that  the  President  had  disposed  of 
the  valuable  Chincha  Islands  to  some  of  his  wealthy 
friends  v/ithout  the  consent  of  Congress  and  in  secret, 
probably  in  return  for  the  support  they  had  given  him 
during  the  campaign.  All  Peru  began  to  be  in  a  fer- 
ment. Was  this  the  patriot  to  whom  the  people  had 
trusted  everything? 

When  President  Fernando  y  Fernando  learned  of 
the  charges,  which  were  first  made  in  an  opposition 
newspaper,  he  caused  the  Treasury  Department  to 
make  announcement  of  the  fact  that  he  had  paid  into 
the  treasury  a  large  sum  of  money  derived  from  the 
lease  of  the  Chincha  Islands  and  that  he  had  concluded 
an  agreement  whereby  a  similar  amount  would  be  paid 
into  the  National  Treasury  every  six  months  for  a 
period  of  ten  years.  It  was  true,  he  said,  that  no  one 
but  himself  appeared  in  the  transaction,  but  the  com- 
pact was  an  afifair  of  state,  the  terms  of  which  he  would 
lay  before  the  public  at  the  proper  time.  He  declared 
that  this  lease  money  would  prove  the  princi- 
pal source  of  Peru's  revenue,  that  it  would  save  the 
people  from  burdensome  taxation,  and  then  he  quoted 
a  clause  in  the  Peruvian  Constitution  which  proved 
that  he  had  not  exceeded  his  authority. 

This  prompt  response  and  explanation,  while  it  did 
not  tell  all  that  some  people  would  Hke  to  have  known, 
appeased  the  general  curiosity  and  silenced  the  poli- 
ticians. 

Without  anything  more  serious  arising  the  first 
term  of  Fernando  y  Fernando  as  President  of  Peru 
drew  near  its  close  and  he  appeared  before  the  people 


The  President  of  Peru  35 

as  a  candidate  for  re-election.  Once  more  his  foes  de- 
manded that  he  make  public  the  terms  upon  which  the 
Chincha  Islands  had  been  leased  and  reveal  the  names 
of  those  who  had  acquired  temporary  control  over 
them  by  Government  grant.  It  was  a  trying  time  for 
the  patriot.  He  knew  that  if  they  forced  him,  as  well 
they  might,  to  meet  their  demands,  his  patriotic  pur- 
pose would  be  frustrated.  There  was  but  one  course 
to  pursue.  He  promptly  and  firmly  refused  to  submit 
the  information  that  was  sought. 

"My  fellow  citizens  have  shown  their  confidence  in 
me  by  electing  me  to  this  high  office  over  all  opposi- 
tion," said  he.  ''They  have  almost  blindly  trusted  in 
me  to  do  right  and  to  be  right.  Would  I,  for  a  mo- 
ment, betray  them  in  word  or  deed  ?  They  have  seen 
me,  with  the  subsequent  approval  of  Congress  (for 
after  the  failure  to  impeach  the  President  the  House 
had  voted  confidence),  save  them  from  much  taxation  ; 
they  have  seen  their  national  treasury  filled  as  never 
before  since  the  war  with  Chile;  and  a  measure  of 
prosperity  has  been  brought  upon  the  country.  No 
one,  in  recent  years,  has  done  quite  so  well;  but 
this  is  nothing  to  what  I  hope  soon  to  accomplish 
if  only  the  people  will  once  more  respond  to  my  candi- 
dacy in  the  spirit  of  patriotism  which  has  actuated 
them  in  the  past  and  with  faith  in  the  sincerity  of  my 
motives,  for  I  must  tell  the  politicians  that  I  shall  with- 
hold for  the  present,  for  the  good  of  the  country,  the 
information  they  seek." 

It  was  almost  a  royal  reply  and  it  was  so  termed  by 
his  enemies,  but  in  his  position  President  Fernando  y 


36  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Fernando  was  sustained  by  the  leading  commercial 
houses,  whose  managers  pointed  out  that  the  money 
derived  from  the  lease  of  the  islands  comprised  prac- 
tically all  the  revenue  and  that  so  long  as  nothing  dis- 
honorable was  apparent  in  the  transaction  it  was  folly 
to  insist  upon  the  President  publishing  facts  which  he 
said  would  only  frustrate  his  plan  of  permanent  aid 
for  Peru. 

Still,  the  clamor  was  not  entirely  silenced,  and  at 
last  the  advisers  of  the  President  deemed  it  wise  that  he 
should  make  a  more  definite  promise  to  the  populace. 
So,  one  night  during  an  address  in  the  Grand  Plaza  in 
Lima,  he  declared  that  his  re-election  would  mean  the 
clearing  up  of  the  Chincha  Islands  mystery  and  that 
the  details  would  become  public  before  his  second 
term  expired,  and,  he  added,  the  country  would  then 
be  saved.  The  next  day  the  merchants  told  the  people 
that  the  President  meant  that  the  enterprise  on  the 
Chincha  Islands  would  ultimately  revert  to  the  Gov- 
ernment, which  would  derive  a  dazzling  revenue  there- 
from. 

This  soon  became  the  accepted  theory.  It  even 
found  some  credence  abroad,  and  was  borne  out  by  the 
early  reports  of  ship  captains. 

Election  day  this  year  was  not  so  quiet  as  had  been 
the  first,  but  the  result  was  the  same,  the  people  again 
rallying  to  the  standard  of  the  young  statesman.  After 
the  returns  had  been  officially  counted  and  before  the 
inaugural  ceremonies  the  President  announced  that  he 
felt  the  necessity  of  a  short  vacation  and  would  visit 
the  interior.    He  was  gone  about  a  month  and  during 


The  President  of  Peru  37 

his  absence  there  was  much  comment  as  to  where  he 
could  have  journeyed,  for  he  had  been  seen  to  leave  the 
Oroya  Railroad  and  disappear  down  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Andes  on  muleback.  When  he  returned,  as 
mysteriously  as  he  had  left,  someone  remarked  that  he 
looked  as  if  he  had  taken  a  sea  voyage,  and  he  laughed, 
but  evaded  the  question. 

A  year  after  Fernando  y  Fernando's  second  inaug- 
uration orders  were  issued  to  all  telegraph  and  cable 
companies  to  receive  no  cipher  messages  unless  the 
code  was  explained  by  the  sender.  Secret  orders  were 
also  issued  by  the  Postmaster-General  concerning  cer- 
tain mail  matter. 

The  stringency  of  these  regulations  caused  much 
complaint  and  even  some  of  those  who  had  been  the 
warmest  friends  of  President  Fernando  y  Fernando 
reproached  him  for  his  decrees,  terming  them  auto- 
cratic. 

To  all  he  would  say:  "Have  patience,  have  pa- 
tience ;  it  will  not  be  for  long  now." 

One  morning  the  British  man-of-war  Garnet 
steamed  into  Callao  Bay  and  dropped  anchor.  A  few 
minutes  later  an  orderly  came  ashore  and  mailed  some 
letters.  Two  hours  after  this  a  secret  service  agent  of 
the  Government  asked  immediate  audience  with  the 
President  at  Lima  and  when  he  was  shown  in  he  gave 
a  signal  that  told  the  chief  executive  he  wished  a  pri- 
vate conference.  Tlie  two  retired  to  a  cabinet,  where 
the  agent  saluted  and  said:  ''Pursuant  to  orders,  sir. 
This  was  mailed  an  hour  ago  in  Callao." 

President  Fernando  y  Fernando  took  the  packet. 


38  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

It  was  addressed  to  the  Lords  of  the  British  Admir- 
alty. He  dismissed  the  agent,  then  for  a  long  time  sat 
with  the  envelope  on  his  knee,  evidently  reluctant  to 
break  the  seal.  Finally  he  hurriedly  tore  the  cover  and 
spread  the  documents  before  him.  They  consisted  of 
a  report  to  the  admiralty  by  the  commander  of  the 
Garnet  and  detailed  reports  from  officers  of  lesser 
rank,  upon  which  the  major  report  was  founded.  The 
latter  read : 

'T  have  the  honor  to  report,  that,  pursuant  to  in- 
structions, we  steamed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Chinchas 
two  months  and  made  frequent  observations  of  the 
group.  There  appear  to  be  several  manufacturing 
establishments  on  the  largest  island,  but  the  nature  of 
the  output  I  could  not  learn.  At  night  when  we  were 
near  shore  and  to  leeward  we  could  distinctly  hear  the 
regular  sounds  of  what  appeared  to  be  trip-hammers 
and  could  see  a  frequent  lighting  up  of  the  clouds.  I 
should  therefore  judge  that  metals  are  being  worked, 
probably  large  quantities  of  the  baser  metals  in  process 
of  reduction.  As  my  instructions  forbade  landing  it 
seemed  impossible  for  me  to  gain  more  positive  infor- 
mation and  I  was  about  to  give  up  the  investigation, 
when,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  i8th  inst.,  I  noticed  on 
the  east  side  of  the  large  island  an  inlet  that  had  before 
escaped  my  observation.  I  examined  it  closely,  then 
found  that  it  was  not  on  the  chart.  A  still  closer  in- 
spection showed  that  the  channel  was  an  artificial  one 
and  that  it  had  been  dredged  after  the  rocks  had  been 
blasted  away.  As  my  instructions  did  not  forbid  en- 
tering any  stream  or  inlet  I  ordered  away  the  first  and 


The  President  of  Peru  39 

second  cutters  and  detailed  a  surveying  party,  giving 
the  officer  in  command  orders  to  row  up  the  inlet  as 
far  as  possible  and  take  soundings. 

"Three  hours  later  the  cutters  came  back  to  the  ship 
at  great  speed  and  the  lieutenant  commanding  the 
party  reported  such  startling  information  that  I 
deemed  it  advisable  to  steam  at  once  to  the  nearest 
point  on  the  mainland,  from  where  I  could  communi- 
cate briefly  with  you  by  cable,  and  in  detail  by  means 
of  this  letter. 

"His  report  is  to  the  effect  that,  after  rowing  for  half 
an  hour  through  a  channel  wide  enough  to  permit  the 
entrance  of  a  first-class  battle-ship,  and  of  sufficient 
depth  to  make  the  passage  no  risk  for  the  largest  ves- 
sel that  floats,  they  came  to  a  sharp  bend,  and  round- 
ing the  same,  saw  to  their  surprise  a  battery  of  rapid- 
fire  guns  at  the  water  level,  and  above  fortifications 
that  evidently  protected  heavier  pieces. 

"At  that  moment  a  man  stepped  from  behind  an 
earthwork  on  the  bank  and  called  out :  'Stop  rowing ; 
another  cable's  length  and  you  will  be  sent  to  the  bot- 
tom !  I  have  but  to  drop  my  handkerchief  and  you 
will  be  a  target  for  the  battery  yonder !' 

"The  lieutenant  was  so  surprised  by  what  had  hap- 
pened that  he  could  not  find  speech  for  several  sec- 
onds, and  when  he  did  the  man  had  disappeared. 

"The  individual  who  addressed  him  was  clad  in  a 
black  uniform  with  gold  buttons  and  wore  a  gold 
shield  upon  his  breast. 

"My  information  from  different  members  of  the 
boats'  crews  is  that  this  channel  broadens  into  a  basin 


40  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

beyond  the  point  where  they  were  stopped  and  some  of 
them  beheve  they  saw  ships  at  anchor,  though  on  this 
point  no  one  is  positive. 

"I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  reports  made  by 
the  officers  of  the  expedition,  together  with  some  other 
information  bearing  on  the  subject." 

When  President  Fernando  y  Fernando  had  care- 
fully read  the  documents  he  called  his  private  secre- 
tary. "Any  report  from  the  cable  office  this  morn- 
ing, Francis?" 

"Yes,  your  excellency;  there  are  several  messages 
held  pending  your  orders.  Here  is  the  most  important, 
I  believe." 

The  sHp  of  paper  bore  a  meaningless  address  to  the 
readers,  save  that  it  said  London,  England.  The 
cipher  showing  to  whom  it  was  to  be  delivered  was 
followed  by  the  single  word  "Sandoval." 

"Now  bring  me  the  British  secret  code,"  said  Fer- 
nando y  Fernando. 

He  scanned  the  book  hastily.  "Have  the  message 
destroyed,"  he  ordered,  "and  call  Senor  Caceras." 

The  Secretary  of  State  soon  entered.  "We  have  ren- 
dered their  spying  useless,"  exclaimed  the  President. 
"Read  these  documents.  Before  the  Britishers  can 
learn  even  these  facts  we  will  be  ready." 

"And  what  does  the  cipher  message  mean?"  asked 
the  Secretary  of  State. 

"  'Peru  is  preparing  for  war,'  "  replied  President 
Fernando  y  Fernando. 


ANOTHER    cable's    LENGTH    AND    YOU    WILL    BE 
SENT    TO    THE    BOTTOM!"' 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   FLEET. 

Dear  Chum  of  Our  Boyhood  Days  : — Doubtless  you 
have  forgotten  by  this  time  the  brothers  Garcia  y 
Garcia,  with  whom  you  once  played  in  Callao,  and  if 
you  have  perhaps  this  letter  will  serve  to  awaken 
memories.  We  have  kept  watch  of  your  progress  and 
we  are  glad  that  you  have  succeeded  so  well  in  your 
profession. 

But  to  the  point.  Pedro  and  I  have  been  at  work 
many  years  upon  something  that  is  as  dear  to  us  as 
life  itself.    Success  has  at  last  crowned  our  efforts. 

What  we  have  to  reveal  concerns  the  Chincha 
Islands.  Ah,  it  is  easy  to  see  how  you,  a  trained  news- 
paper man,  scent  something  of  unusual  interest  in  this 
statement.  And  well  you  may.  Carey,  our  motive  in 
writing  is  not  free  from  selfishness.  W^e  know  that 
you  are  employed  by  an  influential  newspaper  and  v/e 
are  anxious  that  events  which  are  about  to  transpire 
be  reported  correctly  to  the  world.  Therefore  we  ask 
you  and  your  employers  if  you  will  not  take  a  position 
as  staff  correspondent  on  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
expeditions  ever  known  ?  Of  course  those  who  employ 
you  will  consider  this  indefinite,  but  as  the  affairs  we 
hint  at  have  been  noised  about  somewhat  of  late,  we 
believe  they  will  understand  that  there  is  a  great  deal 

41 


42  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

we  cannot  put  on  paper,  and  so  send  you  on  the  mis- 
sion we  refer  to  without  further  information.  If  it  is 
possible  for  you  to  comply  with  our  request  please  be 
in  Callao  the  evening  of  June  5th.  On  the  following 
morning  we  will  make  ourselves  known  to  you  in  a 
manner  that  can  not  be  mistaken. 
Your  very  good  friends, 

Louis  and  Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia. 

As  Carey  Hawkins,  correspondent  for  one  of  the 
daily  newspapers  of  New  York,  was  seated  on  the  bal- 
cony of  the  English  Club  at  Callao  he  read  this  letter 
over  and  over  again.  He  had  read  it  m^any  times  in 
New  York  and  so  had  the  editor,  v/ho,  after  demurring 
a  few  hours,  had  sent  him  upon  what  he  feared  was  "a 
wild  goose  chase."  Mr.  Hawkins  had  read  the  letter 
while  on  the  way  from  New  York  to  Panama,  and 
again  and  again  while  journeying  down  the  west  coast 
of  South  America. 

And  now  it  was  the  day  mentioned — the  sixth  day  of 
June — and  nothing  had  happened  out  of  the  ordinary. 

As  he  sat  there,  neglecting  the  breakfast  that  he  had 
ordered  served  in  the  open  air,  a  chance  acquaintance, 
who  happened  to  be  a  ship  captain,  remarked  that  a 
steamer  had  been  sighted  and  he  pointed  to  a  signal 
displayed  on  the  Island  of  San  Lorenzo,  a  long  rock 
that  stands  at  the  entrance  to  Callao  harbor. 

This  signal  also  told  that  the  vessel  would  not  come 
between  the  island  and  La  Punta,  but  would  approach 
from  the  outside  and  not  be  visible  until  the  island  was 
rounded.    As  steamships  in  the  coast  trade  always 


The  Fleet  43 

take  the  inward  course,  with  which  their  captains  are 
familiar,  the  fact  that  a  vessel  under  steam  was  ap- 
proaching from  another  direction  caused  interest  in 
shipping  circles  and  persons  along  the  water  front 
wondered  what  the  stranger  could  be. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour  later  the  San  Lorenzo  signal 
officer  announced  by  means  of  his  flags  that  another 
steamer  had  appeared,  following  close  in  the  wake  of 
the  one  first  sighted.  In  five  minutes  word  came  that 
the  number  had  increased  to  three.  Then  there  was 
evidently  wild  excitement  in  the  little  signal  tower, 
for  flags  were  run  up  and  hauled  down  with  great  ra- 
pidity, until  finally  those  on  the  mainland  who  were 
interested  in  things  nautical  had  learned  that  at  least 
ten  steamships  were  advancing  toward  the  port.  They 
w^ere  proceeding  leisurely,  said  the  flags,  at  about  a 
six-knot  speed,  and  it  would  be  over  an  hour  before 
they  were  abreast  the  nearest  point  on  San  Lorenzo 
and  in  sight  from  Callao. 

This  was  startling  information,  coming  as  it  did 
when  everybody  was  discussing  the  recent  strange  oc- 
currences on  the  Chincha  Islands,  and  there  was  no 
lack  of  persons  to  spread  the  news  by  word  of  mouth 
around  the  seacoast  city;  and  at  the  same  time  tele- 
phone wires  bore  it  to  Lima.  So  quickly  was  the  news 
distributed  at  the  capital  that  the  train  which  left  for 
Callao  a  half  hour  later  was  crowded  and  additional 
coaches  had  to  be  coupled  on.  Only  once  before  had 
such  a  rush  been  made ;  that  was  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  seventies,  when  the  announcement  was  made  that 
a  Chilean  squadron  had  appeared  off  the  port. 


44  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

While  the  trains  were  coming  from  Lima  thousands 
of  Callao's  inhabitants  hastened  to  the  beach  and 
some  time  before  the  fleet  was  due  to  put  in  an  appear- 
ance the  shore  was  lined,  an  eager  crowd  being 
stretched  from  Los  Banos  to  La  Punta. 

In  the  meantime  the  garrisons  of  the  forts  had  been 
called  to  quarters  and  the  guns  manned.  Many  for- 
eigners smiled  significantly  when  they  witnessed  these 
preparations,  for  since  the  war  with  Chile  the  coast 
defenses  had  been  neglected  and  the  pieces  of  ord- 
nance in  the  castles  and  behind  the  breastworks  were 
all  of  antiquated  design.  But  the  soldiers  made  ready 
for  emergency  with  as  much  valor  and  alacrity  as  if 
they  were  behind  the  latest  make  of  rapid-fire  guns. 
They  rallied  to  the  old,  worn-out  pieces  at  the  com- 
mand of  their  officers  and  commenced  to  load  and  then 
to  train  the  guns  on  the  point  of  land  abreast  of  where 
the  possible  enemy  might  appear. 

Then  something  remarkable  happened.  While 
charges  of  round  shot  and  powder  were  being  placed 
in  the  muzzles  of  the  big  smooth-bores  and  rammed 
home,  and  shells,  with  their  charges,  inserted  in  the 
breeches  of  the  few  modern  rifles,  word  was  flashed 
over  the  telegraph  lines  connecting  the  forts  to  sound 
the  recall.  The  order  was  signed,  ''Fernando  y  Fer- 
nando, President  of  Peru  and  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  Army  and  Navy." 

In  addition  to  this  order  was  telegraphed  this 
strange  phrase :    "The  country  is  saved." 

Simultaneous  with  the  announcement  to  the  gar- 
risons men  rode  about  town  on  horseback,  crying: 


The  Fleet  45 

"The  country  is  saved ;  remember  what  was  promised 
by  the  President  at  the  last  election !" 

About  the  time  the  flags  went  up  on  San  Lorenzo, 
Carey  Hawkins  showed  to  his  friend,  the  ship  captain, 
the  letter  from  the  brothers  Garcia. 

"Rather  remarkable  epistle,  is  it  not?"  remarked  the 
newspaper  correspondent,  then  added :  "Years  ago  I 
was  acquainted  with  the  signers  of  this  letter,  in  fact 
I  went  to  school  with  them  here.  Last  night  I  visited 
Chucuito,  where  we  all  lived  in  those  days,  but  I  could 
gain  no  trace  of  them.  The  place  where  their  house 
once  stood  is  now  occupied  by  a  business  block,  and 
although  several  of  the  residents  remembered  that  a 
family  named  Garcia  y  Garcia  had  once  lived  there 
nobody  knew  where  any  of  them  could  be  found." 

'T  remember  the  father  well,"  said  the  captain,  as  he 
returned  the  letter.  "He  was,  I  believe,  a  direct 
descendant  from  the  Incas  and  possessed  all  the  noble 
characteristics  of  that  race,  combined  with  the  polish 
of  civilization.  He  was  one  of  the  most  earnest  pa- 
triots I  ever  met,  and  always  vowed  that  some  day 
Peru  would  regain  her  prestige  as  a  nation. 
And  now  that  I  think  of  it,  is  not  this  the  name  that 
has  been  connected  with  the  mysterious  charters  made 
for  Peru  ?  But  I  beg  pardon  for  a  minute,"  and,  ris- 
ing, he  stepped  to  the  end  of  the  balcony,  where  sev- 
eral men  were  grouped,  all  looking  intently  seaward, 
one  of  whom  had  beckoned  him  to  approach.  A  mo- 
ment later  he  returned  to  the  table  where  Hawkins  was 
seated. 

"This  is  strange,"  he  said,  "and  I  am  half  inclined 


46  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

to  believe  that  we  are  soon  to  see  a  solution  of  your 
mysterious  letter.  The  gentlemen  over  there  tell  me 
that  nearly  a  dozen  ships  of  war  are  approaching  the 
harbor." 

From  that  moment  the  guests  and  visitors  of  the 
English  club  shared  the  eagerness  of  the  thousands 
who  were  hastening  from  the  cities  to  the  beach. 

The  large  telescope,  a  feature  of  the  club  house 
property,  was  brought  out,  mounted  on  its  tripod  and 
sighted  so  as  to  cover  the  end  of  San  Lorenzo.  The 
ship  captains,  who  had  assembled  on  the  veranda,  com- 
puted the  probable  time  that  must  elapse  before  the 
vessels  could  heave  in  sight  and  ten  minutes  later  a 
naval  ofificer,  attached  to  a  United  States  man-of-war, 
then  anchored  in  the  bay,  was  asked  to  take  a  seat  at 
the  glass  and  describe  the  ships  as  they  steamed  around 
the  point  of  land,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  had 
grouped  near  him. 

No  bay  in  the  world  is  as  smooth  as  that  of  Callao. 
Except  on  two  or  three  days  of  a  year  the  wind  always 
blows  from  the  south  and  the  sheet  of  water  in  front 
of  the  city  is  protected  from  any  rough  weather  from 
that  direction  by  the  long  neck  of  land  that  runs  west- 
ward into  the  ocean  and  also  by  the  large  island,  which 
is  at  right  angles  to  the  peninsula.  Anchored  in  this 
bay  were  many  sailing  ships  of  different  nationalities, 
steamships  of  coastwise  and  transoceanic  lines  and  five 
men-of-war.  The  United  States  was  represented  by 
one  of  the  renowned  white  protected  cruisers  and  also 
by  a  coast  defense  battle-ship  which  had  been  dis- 
patched this  far  south  to  test  her  cruising  qualities  on 


The  Fleet  47 

the  long  voyage  from  San  Francisco.  Although  Eng- 
land had  quite  a  large  fleet  in  the  South  Pacific  at  that 
time,  but  one  ship  happened  to  be  in  Callao  Bay,  the 
others  lying  at  Valparaiso  and  Panama.  This  vessel 
was  the  battle-ship  Shamrock,  10,000  tons,  carrying 
the  latest  armament.  The  other  vessels  of  the  British 
fleet  on  the  South  Pacific  station  were  equally  formid- 
able, for  the  admiralty  had  dispatched  a  first-class 
squadron  soon  after  the  strange  reports  had  been  made 
concerning  the  Chincha  Islands.  The  two  other  war 
vessels  in  Callao  harbor  were  French  and  German.  All 
told,  there  were  probably  two  hundred  merchant  craft 
anchored  in  the  bay  and  half  as  many  more  were 
alongside  the  docks.  But  there  was  room  for  five 
times  that  number  to  ride  safely  in  the  harbor. 

As  the  clock  on  the  English  station  struck  9  a  shout 
went  up  from  the  thousands  who  had  gathered  on  the 
beach.  As  the  noise  ascended  some  one  on  the  club 
veranda  exclaimed  :  'There  they  come !"  and  all  the 
ship  captains,  vessel  owners  and  others  who  happened 
to  be  in  the  club  house,  gathered  close  to  the  naval 
officer,  who  had  taken  his  place  at  the  telescope. 

The  latter  gave  vent  to  a  long  whistle,  indicative  of 
surprise,  then  rapidly  furnished  the  following  informa- 
tion, in  short,  jerky  sentences  : 

''Ship  in  the  van  appears  to  be  a  battle-ship — one  of 
the  most  peculiarly  constructed  vessels  I  ever  saw. — 
She  has  great  breadth  of  beam — this  dwarfs  her  length, 
but  even  at  this  distance,  making  allowance  for  her 
strange  build,  I  think  she  is  as  long  as  the  Shamrock 
— yes,  perhaps  longer.    There !  another  has  come  into 


4^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

range — two  of  them,  in  fact.  They  are  steaming  in 
close  order — in  double  column — the  big  one  alone  in 
the  van. — The  other  two  are  of  similar  build,  but 
smaller." 

'The  flag!  What's  the  flag?"  interrupted  a  by- 
stander. 

"By  Jove,  I  forgot  her  colors ;  I  was  so  taken  with 
the  build,"  replied  the  naval  officer  as  he  shifted  the 
glass  to  bear  on  the  gafif.  *'Why,"  he  added,  ''it's  red, 
white  and  red!  It's  the  Peruvian  ensign!  The  big 
one  flies  a  pennant ;  she  must  be  the  flagship.  Now  I 
can  plainly  see  that  all  three  fly  Peruvian  ensigns — im- 
mense pieces  of  bunting  they  are — in  holiday  trim,  I 
should  say.  There  come  two  more — steaming  in  col- 
umn of  divisions,  evidently,  two  cables'  length  astern 
of  the  others.  They  are  of  the  same  build  as  the  three 
in  the  lead. — You  should  be  able  to  see  them  well  now 
with  the  naked  eye.  Look  at  the  correct  alignment 
and  the  perfect  formation  they  preserve!  I  tell 
you  there  are  seamen  handling  those  fellows! — ^They 
have  very  little  freeboard — the  decks  are  within  a 
couple  of  feet  of  the  w^ater.  Each  has  two  turrets  at 
each  end  of  the  armored  space;  it  may  be  they  are 
double  decked. — Those  must  be  big  guns  there — space 
for — one — two — three — four — five — six  guns  in  turrets 
— must  be  rapid  firers — and  I  suppose  those  tops  have 
machine  guns. — Pretty  ugly  customers  to  range  along- 
side! 

"What  close  order!  I  never  saw  a  fleet  steam  at 
such  short  distance!  The  officers  must  have  perfect 
control.    Ha !   what  have  we  now  ?    These  are  differ- 


The  Fleet  49 

ent.  Transports  or  cruisers,  by  jove !  That's  what 
they  are — bows  and  sides  well  out  of  water,  but  still 
with  the  same  immense  beam  the  larger  ships  have. 
There  are  two  of  them — yet  another  two — they  are 
coming  on  fast  now — the  entire  fleet  numbers  ten — 
five  battle-ships  and  five  cruisers.  Now  I  look  closer 
I  can  see  torpedo-boats  under  the  forefeet  of  the  big 
vessels,  tossing  the  spray  aside  and  keeping  just  so 
far  in  the  lead,  as  if  feeling  the  way. 

'There,  they  are  nov/  within  range  of  the  eye  and  we 
shall  soon  learn  what  this  means.  As  for  me,  I  must 
go  on  board  ship. — Good  bye,  all,"  and  the  lieutenant 
was  off,  hastening  down  the  stairs  and  to  the  boat  that 
awaited  him  at  the  mole. 

By  this  time  the  excitement  in  the  city  was  intense 
and  when  the  news  was  carried  to  the  thousands  gath- 
ered on  the  beach  that  the  flag  carried  by  the  ships 
was  the  red,  white  and  red  of  Peru,  cheer  after  cheer 
went  up,  until  men  became  hoarse  with  the  shouting 
and  the  women  hysterical  from  joining  in  the  noisy 
demonstration. 

The  fleet  by  this  time  was  almost  opposite  the  ex- 
treme point  of  La  Punta,  still  steaming  in  column  of 
divisions.  When  the  flag-ship  was  abreast  the  largest 
castle,  signal  was  m.ade  and  acknowledged  and  all  the 
ships  deviated  slightly  from  their  course  and  formed  a 
line  across  the  harbor  in  front  of  the  city.  A  second 
signal  was  shown,  the  rattle  of  heavy  cables  could  be 
heard  on  shore  and  the  bows  of  the  great  vessels  swung 
slowly  to  meet  the  ebb  tide.  Then  a  great  red,  white 
and  red  streamer  rolled  out  to  the  south  breeze  from 


so  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  foretruck  of  the  largest  ship,  and  a  band  on  board 
struck  up  the  Peruvian  national  air.  The  stops  of  a 
thousand  flags  were  broken  and  all  the  vessels  were 
dressed,  as  if  by  magic,  in  gala  attire ;  the  rails  and  tops 
were  manned  by  the  crews  and  then  the  ships  joined  in 
a  national  salute,  the  guns  firing  in  unison,  as  if  one 
man  directed  their  discharge ;  but  not  even  a  wreath  of 
smoke  hovered  near  the  sides,  only  a  light  blue  film 
that  was  as  transparent  as  ether.  One  hundred 
crashes  reverberated,  with  three-second  intervals,  the 
noise  rolling  back  to  the  foothills  of  the  Andes. 

The  salute  finished,  an  electric  barge  left  the  side 
of  the  flag-ship  and,  darting  shoreward,  came  silently 
and  swiftly  alongside  the  mole.  In  the  stern  sheets  were 
half  a  dozen  officers.  The  sailors  were  clad  in  black, 
relieved  with  silver  trimmings;  the  officers  wore  the 
same  somber  uniform,  offset  by  gold.  In  the  center 
of  the  group  was  one  upon  whose  breast  blazed  a 
golden  sun. 

At  the  moment  the  barge  reached  the  mole  an  offi- 
cer on  the  landing  called  out:  "Make  way  for  the 
President!"  and  a  score  of  Peruvian  infantrymen 
formed  a  line  from  the  top  of  the  mole  to  the  lower 
steps.  As  the  boat  touched  the  landing,  the  officer 
who  wore  the  golden  sun  on  his  coat  sprang  from  the 
stern  sheets  and  at  that  moment,  a  tall  man,  clad  in 
civilian's  dress,  ran  down  to  meet  the  arrival. 

'The  President!"  said  some  one  in  the  crowd  that 
had  surged  upon  the  esplanade. 

"Why,  they  look  like  brothers !"  exclaimed  anotlier. 

The  two  men  were  side  by  side  at  this  moment. 


The  Fleet  51 

They  seized  one  another  by  the  hand  and  the  words : 
'Tedro!  Louis!  At  last!  At  last!"  were  heard  com- 
ing from  their  lips.  Then  the  one  who  was  clad  in 
civilian's  costume  took  off  his  hat  and  called  out  in  a 
loud,  clear  voice  that  was  heard  by  thousands : 

'Teruvians,  Fellow  Citizens :  For  ten  years  I  have 
appeared  before  3^ou  under  false  colors,  but  it  was  nec- 
essary that  I  should  do  so  and  I  know  you  will  pardon 
me  freely  when  you  understand  the  reason.  My  name 
is  not  Fernando  y  Fernando,  but  Garcia  y  Garcia.  I 
am  Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia  and  this  is  my  brother, 
Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia.  He  is  the  admiral  in  command 
of  the  f^eet  that  is  anchored  in  the  harbor.  It  is  a  small 
fleet  when  compared  with  those  of  other  nations,  but  its 
power  is  such  that  no  one  can  realize  its  effectiveness 
until  it  does  battle.  For  ten  years  the  best  skilled  men 
of  the  w^orld  have  w^orked  upon  those  ships. 

"This  fleet  is  Peruvian.  My  brother  and  I,  who 
built  it,  donate  it  to  the  service  of  Peru.  As  President 
of  the  Republic  I  name  him  the  admiral  and  I  also 
confirm  all  the  appointments  he  has  made.  He  will 
shake  off  the  Chilean  yoke  and  will  restore  to  you  the 
provinces  that  were  lost  during  the  war.  Moreover, 
within  two  weeks  you  shall  see  the  beloved  old  Huas- 
car  enter  this  bay  with  the  red,  white  and  red  at  her 
gaff.  And  that  is  not  all,  for  it  is  our  object  to  place 
Peru  in  the  first  rank  of  the  nations  of  the  world  and 
we  wdll  wage  war  upon  any  power  that  stands  in  the 
way. 

"I  am  now  going  on  board  the  fleet,  to  inspect  the 
ships  and  confer  with  my  brother  and  the  other  offi- 


5^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

cers.  This  evening  the  official  press  will  convey  to 
you  such  information  as  I  am  unable  to  give  in  this 
short  address.  To-morrow  the  ships  will  be  ready  to 
receive  visitors  and  such  of  you  as  care  to  go  out  in  the 
•bay  will  be  made  welcome  on  the  vessels  that  will  serve 
our  country.  The  next  day  there  will  open  a  cam- 
paign which  will  have  for  its  object  the  creation  of  a 
great  Peru,  greater  even  than  when  the  kings  of  the 
Incas  ruled  beyond  those  white-capped  peaks/'  and 
the  President  waved  his  hand  in  the  direction  of  the 
Andes. 

For  a  few  seconds  there  was  silence;  men  were 
dumfounded  by  what  they  had  heard.  Then  there 
was  a  cheer,  the  like  of  which  had  never  been  heard  in 
old  Callao.  The  words  of  the  President  flew  from  ear 
to  ear,  they  were  carried  about  the  city  by  runners  and 
by  men  on  horseback ;  they  were  flashed  over  the  wires 
to  Lima.  The  cheering  changed  to  a  roar.  All  Cal- 
lao seemed  to  have  gone  mad.  Men  wept  for  joy,  then 
shouted  and  danced  as  though  suddenly  made  insane. 
Women  joined  in  the  demonstration.  All  business  was 
suspended  and  those  who  could  secure  them  engaged 
small  boats  and  went  out  in  the  bay,  merely  to  row 
around  and  around  the  war  vessels.  Within  two  hours 
Lima  was  almost  depopulated,  those  whom  the  trains 
could  not  accommodate  and  w^ho  could  not  secure 
other  means  of  transportation,  walking  the  distance  of 
seven  miles  to  the  seaport. 

After  addressing  the  populace  President  Garcia  y 
Garcia  stepped  into  the  barge,  which  was  about  to 
shove  off  when  the  admiral  turned  to  the  flag  lieuten- 


The  Fleet  53 

ant  and  exclaimed,  "One  moment,  sir !"  Then  he  whis- 
pered to  an  aide,  who  sprang  to  the  steps  and  made  his 
way  through  the  crowd.  He  soon  returned  and  was 
followed  by  a  foreigner,  clad  in  a  light  tweed  suit. 

"I  thought  so !"  exclaimed  the  admiral,  as  the 
stranger  stepped  into  the  boat.  "Brother,  this  is  our 
old  chum,  Carey  Hawkins.  Back  to  the  ship,  sir !"  he 
added  to  the  flag  officer. 

In  another  minute  the  electric  barge  was  speeding 
out  into  the  bay. 

About  this  time  the  British  Minister  Resident  was 
informed  by  the  officials  of  the  cable  company  that  it 
would  be  impossible  to  forward  his  message  to  Lon- 
don, for  all  the  land  and  sea  wires  had  been  cut  and 
the  points  of  severance  had  been  guarded  for  hours  by 
Peruvian  troops.  Moreover,  the  President  had  or- 
dered that  no  messages  of  any  description  should  be 
forwarded  from  Peru  until  he  revoked  the  decree. 

Then  the  British  Minister  wrote  an  elaborate  pro- 
test, which  he  addressed  to  the  President  of  Peru,  and 
he  also  sent  word  to  the  commander  of  the  Shamrock 
that  he  would  visit  him  within  the  hour,  to  confer  con- 
cerning the  strange  events  of  the  day. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

IN  THE  CABIN  OF  THE  OROYA. 

After  leaving  the  mole  the  electric  barge  shaped  a 
straight  course  for  the  largest  vessel  of  the  fleet,  the 
flag-ship,  and  when  the  little  craft  rounded  under  the 
stern  of  the  formidable  battle-ship  the  New  York  news- 
paper correspondent  noticed  that  the  letters  painted  on 
the  stern  read,  "Oroya." 

"Your  favorite  name,"  he  remarked  to  Admiral 
Louis. 

"Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "and  I  am  glad  you  have  re- 
membered it,  for  that  shows  you  can  recall  many 
pleasant  incidents  of  the  old  days  in  Chucuito." 

The  sides  were  manned  when  the  barge  was  along- 
side and  the  passengers  from  the  launch  were  received 
with  the  ceremony  due  their  rank,  a  salute  in  honor  of 
the  President  being  fired  a  few  seconds  after  they  en- 
tered the  cabin.  In  this  spacious  apartment  Carey 
Hawkins  was  made  welcome,  Admiral  Louis  saying: 

"You  must  not  be  reticent  about  asking  questions, 
for  we  know  you  are  anxious  to  learn  everything  con- 
cerning our  fleet.  Just  consider  yourself  one  of  us  and 
we  will  do  the  same  with  you." 

"There  is  one  question  I  should  Hke  to  ask,"  Haw- 
kins replied,  "and  it  has  more  to  do  with  you  as  my 
friends  than  as  officials  of  Peru.    You  act  as  if  you  had 

54 


In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya         55 

not  seen  one  another  for  some  time,  yet  you  appear  to 
be  in  perfect  harmony  and  have  thorough  acquaintance 
each  with  the  work  of  the  other.  Can  you  tell  me  as 
to  that?" 

"During  ten  years,"  Pedro  replied,  "we  have  met 
but  once  every  twelve  months  and  then  only  for  a  day 
or  two  at  a  time.  There  is  one  exception.  That  was 
about  two  years  ago,  when  the  Oroya  was  ready  for 
her  trial  trip.  At  that  time  I  managed  to  leave  Lim.a 
for  the  Chincha  Islands  without  anyone  being  the  wiser 
and  joined  Louis  on  board  ship  at  Buena  Vista  after 
sundown.  You  will  learn  later,"  he  added,  "of  our 
project  to  reclaim  Peru;  of  our  prospect  of  success 
after  years  of  failure.  But  that  is  too  long  a  story  to 
tell  now,  so  I  will  postpone  it  for  the  present,  only  say- 
ing that  we  secured  the  money  necessary  to  carry  out 
our  plans.  Then  it  became  imperative  to  have  power 
and  we  were  anxious  that  such  power  should  be  hon- 
estly secured,  not  purchased.  There  was  but  one  place 
in  the  world  of  which  we  knew  where  a  fleet  of  war 
ships  could  be  built  and  escape  observation  during 
construction — the  Chincha  Islands — long  ago  aban- 
doned, with  nothing  on  them  that  would  tempt  a  ship 
to  call,  and  entirely  out  of  the  track  of  both  steamships 
and  sailing  vessels.  A  grant  of  these  islands  was  nec- 
essary and  the  grant  must  be  secured  without  arousing 
even  the  suspicion  of  Peruvians.  That  is  why  I  went 
to  Lima  and  became  an  active  politician. 

"Yes,  Carey,  we  have  had  our  trials  and  hardships, 
but  fortunately  they  are  over.  The  entire  story  is  a 
long  one  and  you  will  hear  it  in  time,  but,  as  Louis 


56  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

says,  ask  questions  and  we  will  do  the  best  we  can 
to  answer  them  fully." 

"You  speak  of  trials  being  at  an  end,  yet  you  are 
about  to  engage  in  war.  Are  you  therefore  certain  of 
victory?"  asked  Hawkins. 

"Carey,  my  friend,"  replied  Admiral  Louis,  "our 
trials  were  the  preparations;  the  war  is  the  long- 
wished-for  sequel.  As  for  our  navy,  I  do  not  think 
there  is  a  fleet  of  war-ships  in  the  world  that  can  con- 
quer it." 

"Pardon  me  if  I  break  the  thread  of  our  conversa- 
tion for  a  moment,  but  remember  I  am  a  newspaper 
man  and  would  like,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  send  to 
New  York  an  account  of  what  is  probably  the  greatest 
news  story  told  since  papers  have  been  printed.  I 
came  here,  you  know,  at  your  special  request,  for 
this  sort  of  thing,  and  it  would  never  do  to  have  any 
information  reach  our  ofHce  in  advance  of  my  cable- 
gram." 

"You  are  right,"  Pedro  said,  "and  you  need  have  no 
fear  but  that  you  will  be  the  first  to  chronicle  the  ap- 
pearance in  Callao's  harbor  of  Peru's  wonderful  navy. 
Last  night  every  telegraph  and  cable  line  connecting 
Peru  with  the  outside  v/orld  was  cut  and  communica- 
tion will  not  be  restored  for  three  days.  No  tele- 
graphic message  shall  leave  this  country  during  that 
time  and  when  electric  communication  is  restored  your 
message  shall  be  the  first  placed  on  the  wires.  So  you 
will  have  plenty  of  time  in  which  to  write  what  you 
wish  to  send  and  to  secure  necessary  information." 

"We  have  been  actuated  by  humane   motives  in 


In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya         57 

doing  this,"  Admiral  Louis  added,  "hoping  that  there 
will  be  less  bloodshed  if  the  Chileans  are  taken  by  sur- 
prise than  if  they  had  long  to  prepare  for  our  coming." 

"And  now,  brother,  had  we  not  better  send  those 
messages?"  asked  President  Pedro.  "There,  don't  rise 
to  leave,  Carey,"  he  added,  "we  have  no  secrets  that 
we  wish  to  keep  from  you." 

"Indeed  no,"  added  the  admiral.  "We  wish  you  to 
consider  the  Oroya  one  of  your  homes.  In  fact,  I  have 
a  stateroom  of  this  suite  for  your  occupancy,  which  I 
will  soon  show  you  and  I  hope  you  will  have  at  least  a 
portion  of  your  baggage  moved  on  board  as  soon  as 
possible.  Just  tell  me  where  it  is  and  I  will  send  men 
to  fetch  it." 

Then,  reverting  to  President  Pedro's  suggestion,  the 
admiral  called  an  orderly  and  dispatched  him  for  two 
officers  of  the  fleet,  who  at  once  responded  to  the  sum- 
mons. 

"This  is  Captain  Beausire,"  the  admiral  said  to  the 
correspondent  when  the  first  of  the  officers  entered  the 
cabin.  "He  commands  the  Oroya  and  you  will  doubt- 
less see  him  frequently.  Captain  Beausire  is  an  excel- 
lent English  scholar,  indeed  the  language  is  familiar  to 
nearly  every  one  on  board,  as  well  as  throughout  the 
fleet,  for  it  was  one  of  the  studies  at  the  Chinchas. 
Ours  is  a  most  cosmopolitan  assemblage  and  it  might 
be  said  that  we  have  adopted  English  as  the  common 
vehicle  of  expression,  although  Spanish  is  considered 
the  official  tongue." 

Just  then  the  door  was  opened  again.  "And  now," 
continued   the   admiral,   "allow   me    to   present   Mr. 


S8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Heatherton,  flag  oflicer,  who,  you  will  remember,  was 
in  the  barge  with  us,  but  who  I  neglected  to  introduce 
because  we  were  so  busy  talking  over  old  times.  I 
daresay,  Hawkins,  you  will  find  much  pleasure  in  the 
ward  room,  especially  during  a  long  cruise,  and  you 
need  not  feel  at  all  diffident  about  going  there,  for  the 
officers  have  been  told  about  you,  have  they  not,  Mr. 
Heatherton  ?" 

"Indeed  we  have,''  said  the  Heutenant.  "We  feel  as 
if  we  knew  Mr.  Hawkins  intimately.  I  know,  sir," 
turning  to  the  correspondent,  "that  you  will  be  wel- 
come in  our  quarters." 

"Are  you  not  an  American  ?"  Carey  asked  in  some 
astonishment. 

"Yes,"  was  the  lieutenant's  reply.  "I  served  in  the 
United  States  Navy  until  two  years  ago,  when  I  re- 
signed to  join  the  patriotic  forces  on  the  Chincha 
Islands  and  I  have  never  regretted  the  step.  There 
are  several  others  in  the  fleet  who  formerly  served 
Uncle  Sam,  in  fact  one  of  them  commands  the  Payta, 
the  ship  on  our  starboard  beam." 

"Yes,  and  there  are  men  from  other  navies,"  re- 
marked Captain  Beausire,  joining  in  the  conversation. 
I  served  nearly  twenty  years  under  the  tricolor.  I 
think  there  are  naval  men  in  the  fleet  from  almost 
every  country  in  the  world  except  Great  Britain  and 
Chile." 

"And  ours  are  the  best  naval  men  in  the  world  or  I 
am  no  judge,"  added  Admiral  Louis.  "With  the  best 
ships  and  the  best  men  we  should  render  good  account 
of  ourselves,  should  we  not,  Hawkins?" 


In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya         59 

"Now  as  to  those  messages,"  reminded  President 
Pedro. 

"Yes,  gentlemen,  that  is  what  I  wished  you  for," 
said  the  admiral,  rising.  "I  am  about  to  send  you  on 
important  missions  that  may  not  prove  very  pleasant. 
Mr.  Heatherton,  I  wish  you  to  visit  the  British  and 
American  ships  in  the  harbor ;  Captain  Beausire,  you 
will  go  to  the  German  and  the  French.  I  would  send 
an  aide  to  the  latter,  as  well  as  to  the  former,  captain, 
were  not  the  mission  one  of  the  greatest  importance 
and  delicacy,  and  Mr.  Heatherton  is  the  only  lieuten- 
ant on  board  who  would  exercise  the  necessary  diplo- 
macy." 

The  officers  bowed  acknowledgment  of  the  compli- 
ments and  the  admiral  continued :  "Your  missions 
will  be  the  same.  Inform  the  officers  in  command 
that  the  fleet  which  has  just  arrived  in  the  bay  is  a 
Peruvian  fleet,  that  its  admiral  has  been  duly  appointed 
by  the  President  of  the  Republic,  and  that  he  will  re- 
ceive their  visits  any  time  during  the  afternoon  of  to- 
day. Then  present  to  the  commanding  officers  a  re- 
quest in  my  name  that  they  do  not  leave  port  for  three 
days.  State  that  my  anxiety  on  this  point  is  due  to  a 
humane  reason — that  Peru  has  declared  war  on  Chile 
and  that  if  news  of  our  intended  departure  for  Val- 
paraiso should  reach  that  city  there  would  be  a  stattr 
of  preparedness  that  would  result  in  mxore  bloodshed 
than  if  the  Chilenos  were  taken  by  surprise.  Explain 
to  these  commanders  that  we  do  not  believe  they 
would  intentionally  carry  such  news  of  state  from  one 
countrv  to  another,  but  that  the  information  would 


6o  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

undoubtedly  be  carried  by  some  member  of  their 
crews.  If  they  try  to  evade  a  direct  answer  firmly  but 
politely  demand  a  reply,  so  that  I  may  know  how  to 
act." 

When  the  officers  had  left  the  cabin  Hawkins  said 
to  the  admiral :  "What  if  one  of  the  commanders 
should  refuse  to  do  as  you  ask?" 

'The  Britisher  is  the  only  one  who  would  take  such 
a  stand,"  was  the  reply,  "and  such  a  course  on  his  part 
would  not  cause  me  any  surprise  or  regret."  The  ad- 
miral's tone  was  rather  jubilant. 

"You  have  severed  telegraphic  communication  for 
three  days,  Pedro?"  asked  Hawkins,  turning  to  the 
President. 

"Yes." 

"But  when  communication  is  restored  will  not  the 
Chilenos  have  ample  opportunity  to  prepare  for  your 
arrival  ?" 

"Hardly.    Will  they,  Louis?" 

"I  think  not,"  said  the  admiral,  smiling. 

"Why,"  exclaimed  Hawkins,  "it  is  six  days'  steam 
from  here  to  Valparaiso  and  you  do  not  leave  until  the 
day  after  to-morrow." 

"But  it  is  not  six  days'  steam  for  us,"  the  admiral 
explained. 

"Then  your  ships  are  very  fast,  in  addition  to  being 
otherwise  remarkable  ?"  inquired  the  correspondent. 

"That  is  it  exactly,"  and  Admiral  Louis  rose  and 
went  to  a  cabinet  from  which  he  returned  with  a  model 
of  the  Oroya  in  his  hands. 


In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya         6i 

"What  a  beauty !"  exclaimed  Hawkins,  as  the  offi- 
cer again  took  his  seat. 

"You  have  of  course  noticed,"  said  Admiral  Louis, 
placing  the  model  on  the  table,  "that  our  ships  are 
unusually  broad  of  beam." 

Hawkins  gave  an  affirmative  gesture. 

"We  have  been  able  to  follow  these  lines  without 
loss  of  speed,  in  fact  with  distinct  gain.  The  Oroya 
is  the  largest  ship  of  the  fleet.  She  is  of  25,000  tons, 
is  565  feet  in  length  and  is  195  feet  beam.  Do  you 
understand  what  that  means?" 

"Indeed  I  do,"  was  the  reply.  "I  have  made  quite 
a  study  of  naval  ships,  and  I  am  astonished  at  the 
figures." 

"The  other  battleships  of  the  fleet,  the  Payta,  Chor- 
illos,  Miraflores,  and  Pisco  are  each  20,000  tons,  480 
feet  in  length  and  180  feet  beam.  The  five  cruisers, 
the  Matucana,  Tambovisa,  Chosica,  Mejillones  and 
Arica  are  each  10,000  tons,  410  feet  long  and  145  feet 
beam.  These  cruisers  are  protected  by  belts  of  5-inch 
malleable  steel." 

"Malleable  steel?    What  is  that?" 

"A  metal  we  manufacture  on  the  islands,"  was  the 
admiral's  reply.  "Its  resistance  is  such  that  five  inches 
is  equivalent  to  a  ten-inch  Harveyized  plate.  The 
armor  of  the  battleships  is  malleable  steel,  so  applied 
that  the  resistance  is  equal  to  plates  of  Harveyized 
steel  four  feet,  ten  inches  thick.  And  the  armor  on 
our  battleships  is  at  no  point  over  two  feet  thick. 
The  conning  tower  is  of  metal  but  seven  inches 
thick,  yet  it  is  of  such  exquisite  temper  and  hardness 


(^2  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

that  it  withstood  a  bombardment  of  one  hour  from 
our  heaviest  gun,  and  when  you  see  this  gun  you 
will  understand  better  what  is  meant. 

"I  don't  wonder  you  are  astonished,"  the  admiral 
said,  noting  the  expression  on  the  correspondent's 
face,  "but  you  must  remember  that  for  ten  years  we 
have  had  the  aid  of  the  best  mechanics  of  the  world, 
who  have  been  devoting  their  entire  time  to  our  ser- 
vices, and  that  we  have  had  unlimited  capital. 

"But  I  started  out  to  tell  you  of  the  speed  of  the 
ships.  What  say  you  to  thirty-five  miles  an  hour! 
Yes,  that  is  the  speed  at  which  each  one  of  the  ships 
can  travel,  and  this  is  how  it  is  accomplished,"  and 
lifting  the  model  of  the  Oroya  from  the  table,  he  in- 
verted it  and  said :  "Notice  these  rods  of  steel  that 
run  the  entire  length  of  the  hull,  from  bow  to  stern. 
If  you  look  closely  you  will  see  they  have  threads, 
like  a  screw.  Imagine  them  enlarged  in  proportion 
until  the  Oroya  model  becomes  the  Oroya  battle- 
ship. We  have  abandoned  the  old  style  propeller,  and 
under  each  ship  are  three  long  screws,  that  twist  into 
the  water.  Instead  of  forcing  back  a  small  area  of 
water  from  the  stern,  as  do  propellers  on  so-called 
modern  steamships,  they  take  hold  of  an  immense 
body  of  water  and  their  povv^er  is  therefore  many  times 
greater.  These  screws  are  worked  by  two  engine- 
plants,  one  in  the  bow,  the  other  in  the  stern,  both 
connected  so  that  they  act  together,  yet  should  one 
be  disabled  in  action  the  other  could  work  alone  and 
the   ship   proceed   at   half  speed,   which   would   even 


In  the  Cabin  of  the  Oroya  63 

then  be  faster  than  the  speed  of  the  average  man-of- 
war. 

"Not  only  do  these  screws  give  us  great  speed,  but 
also  a  better  command  of  the  ships.  They  act  upon 
such  a  volume  of  water  that  the  effect  of  their  being 
set  in  motion  is  almost  instantaneous,  and  within 
three  minutes  after  the  signal,  'full  speed  ahead'  is 
given,  we  are  going  through  the  water  at  a  thirty- 
five-knot  rate.  The  reversal  of  the  screws  when  the 
ship  is  at  full  speed  brings  her  to  a  stop  in  an  aston- 
ishing short  time. 

'T  spoke  of  the  signal,  'full  speed  ahead,'  because 
I  knew  it  would  be  familiar  to  you.  As  a  matter  of 
fact  we  have  no  such  signal  in  the  fleet.  You  w^ill 
notice  when  you  enter  the  pilot  house  and  the  con- 
ning tower  that  there  is  an  automatic  dial-call  in 
each,  connecting  v/ith  the  engine-room,  and  you  will 
see  that  it  is  numbered  from  one  to  thirty-five.  There 
is  a  pointer  which  is  moved  along  the  half  arc.  This 
pointer  is  placed  at  the  figure  indicating  the  number 
of  knots  at  vv^hich  the  commander  wishes  the  ship 
to  proceed,  and  the  number  is  recorded  in  the  engine- 
room.  So  excellent  is  the  control  over  the  screws, 
and  the  knowledge  of  their  power  is  so  well  under- 
stood, that  the  engineer  is  able  to  regulate  the  speed 
to  the  fraction  of  a  knot.  This  morning  I  wished 
to  give  the  people  ample  time  to  prepare  for  our  entry 
and  the  signal  v/as  displayed  to  proceed  at  the  rate  of 
six  knots.  Now  you  will  be  able  to  understand  how 
\ve  kept  such  perfect  alignment." 

"It  is  wonderful !"  exclaimed  Hawkins,  who  had 


64  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

taken  the  model  and  was  examining  it  carefully.  "By 
the  way,  do  you  use  steam  or  electricity  ?" 

**Steam  in  the  main,"  replied  the  admiral,  ''although 
electricity  plays  an  important  secondary  part." 

"But  where  did  the  world  of  wealth  come  from 
that  must  have  been  necessary  in  order  to  accomplish 
all  this?" 

"Now,  brother,  it  is  my  turn,"  said  President 
Pedro,  and  addressing  Carey  he  reverted  to  the  time 
when  the  vow  was  taken  on  Mar  Bravo  beach. 

The  correspondent  knew  the  scenes  thoroughly, 
and  he  also  remembered  the  little  Huascar  with  feel- 
ings of  love.  Many  years  before,  when  Pedro  and 
Louis  were  coxswains  in  the  Callao  Boating  Club, 
Carey  was  also  a  member,  and  the  three  were  often, 
together  in  the  trips  out  in  the  bay.  Soon  after  the 
war  with  Chile  began,  Carey  was  compelled  to  return 
to  the  United  States,  his  native  land,  where  his  father 
was  called,  and  little  by  little  the  chums  of  his  boy- 
hood days  faded  from  his  memory.  Now  he  was  with 
them  again ;  they  were  in  the  cabin  of  the  most  won- 
derful battleship  the  world  knew,  and  starting  from 
the  day  when  they  parted  company,  Pedro,  President 
of  Peru,  told  the  marvelous  story  of  the  Inca  and  the 
hidden  treasure.  He  had  reached  that  part  of  the 
narrative  when  he  described  the  old  Inca's  death,  and 
was  proceeding  with  the  return  to  Lima  when  there 
was  a  knock  at  the  door. 

"The  officers  must  have  returned,"  said  Admiral 
Louis.  "We  will  postpone  telhng  Carey  of  the  work 
on  the  Chinchas  until  another  time." 


CHAPTER  V. 
A    DEFIANT    REPLY. 

The  conversation  in  the  cabin  had  been  interrupted 
by  an  orderly,  who  announced  Captain  Beausire,  and 
immediately  one  of  the  officers  who  had  been  sent 
to  vessels  of  other  navies  entered  and  saluted. 

"What  success,  sir?"  Admiral  Louis  asked. 

"The  best,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "I  found  in  the 
commander  of  the  Frenchman  an  old  schoolmate,  who 
declared  he  had  no  intention  of  leaving  port,  and  that 
if  he  had  he  would  only  too  gladly  listen  to  the 
Almirante's  wishes  and  respect  his  humane  motives. 
He  contemplates  calling  upon  you  this  afternoon,  and 
said  that  he  would  fire  a  salute  of  recognition  as  soon 
as  I  returned  on  board.  And,  if  I  mistake  not,  sir, 
there  is  the  first  gun." 

As  he  spoke,  the  loud  report  of  a  cannon  was  heard, 
and  a  minute  later  the  officer  of  the  deck  sent  word 
by  an  orderly  that  the  French  warship  had  run  the 
red,  white  and  red  ensign  to  the  fore  truck  and  was 
saluting  the  Peruvian  flag. 

"Tell  the  officer  of  the  deck  to  return  the  salute," 
directed  the  admiral,  and  five  minutes  later  the  rever- 
berations of  the  secondary  battery  guns  in  the  bow 
of  the  Oroya  caused  vibrations  in  the  cabin.  Before 
the  twenty-one  discharges  had  been  delivered  another 

65 


66  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

salute  was  begun  in  the  bay,  and  the  orderly  reported 
that  the  American  battleship  was  officially  recognizing 
the  admiral  and  his  flag.  So  again  were  twenty-one 
guns  fired  on  the  Oroya,  and  this  time  the  stars  and 
stripes  were  unfurled. 

"It  is  evident,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  "that  Mr. 
Heatherton's  mission  has  been  as  successful  as  yours, 
Captain  Beausire;  at  least  as  far  as  our  American 
cousins  are  concerned.  And  now,  captain,  we  will 
listen  to  the  remainder  of  your  report.  How  about 
the  Germans?" 

"The  captain  of  the  Hansa,"  replied  the  officer 
addressed,  "at  first  said  that  he  could  not  recognize 
the  right  of  the  Peruvians  to  dictate  when  or  how  he 
should  leave  port.  I  assured  him  that  no  dictation 
was  meant,  that  you  were  actuated  by  humane  motives 
entirely  and  that  it  was  only  a  request.  He  replied  that 
he  would  do  himself  the  honor  to  call  upon  you  this 
afternoon,  and  that  he  would  salute  the  flag  after  he 
made  the  official  visit.  This  might  be  unusual,  he 
added,  but  owing  to  his  naval  regulations  it  was 
necessary  for  him  first  to  consult  with  the  German 
minister.  He  sends  the  assurance  that  he  has  no  in- 
tention of  leaving  port  for  several  days." 

The  admiral  congratulated  Captain  Beausire  upon 
the  success  of  his  mission,  and  as  the  commander  of 
the  Oroya  left  the  cabin  Lieutenant  Heatherton  en- 
tered. 

"Good  or  bad  results,  sir?"  queried  Admiral  Louis. 

President  Pedro  and  Mr.  Hawkins  drew  nearer,  for 
the  lieutenant's  face  was  pale  and  his  lips  were  drawn 


A  Defiant  Reply  dj 

together.  He  answered  hurriedly,  and  it  was  evident 
that  he  could  with  difficulty  repress  his  emotions. 
"Sir/'  said  he,  after  a  moment,  evidently  taken  to 
recover  his  composure,  ''the  guns  of  the  American 
have  probably  announced  to  you  the  success  of  my 
errand  to  the  United  States'  flagship,  and  I  may  add 
that  the  admiral  will  visit  you  in  the  course  of  the 
hour." 

"And  the  Britisher?"    asked  Admiral  Louis. 

"The  Britisher,  sir,  sends  word  that  he  had 
no  intention  of  leaving  port  until  your  message  was 
delivered,  but  that  now  he  will  depart  as  soon  as 
he  can  coal.  His  exact  words  are  that  he  will  do 
this  'for  the  dual  purpose  of  reaching  a  point  where 
brigands  have  not  interfered  with  the  telegraph,  and 
of  notifying  the  world  that  a  band  of  pirates  are  at 
large  and  not  hanged.'  Pardon  me,  sir,  but  I  have 
used  his  exact  language." 

"You  have  done  well,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  smiling 
sweetly.  (Hawkins,  in  writing  home  a  few  days  later, 
said  that  this  smile  of  the  Peruvian  admiral's  was 
seraphic,  but  that  it  was  indicative  of  a  storm, 
and  the  more  tender  and  winning  the  expression 
the  more  terrible  the  sequel.)  "And  now,  Mr. 
Heatherton,  you  will  return  to  the  Shamrock 
and  repeat  to  the  British  commander  these  words: 
'Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia,  of  the  Peruvian  Navy, 
presents  his  compliments  to  the  Commander  of  H.  M. 
S.  Shamrock  and  states  than  an  attempt  by  the  Sham- 
rock to  leave  this  port  before  three  days  are  passed 
will  result  in  said  Shamrock  being  sunk  before  her 


68  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

anchor  can  reach  half  the  distance  from  the  water 
to  the  rail." 

Lieutenant  Heatherton  saluted  and  left  the  room. 
The  newspaper  correspondent  looked  at  his  friends  in 
amazement.  "Why!"  he  exclaimed,  "is  that  not  an 
act  of  war?  Do  you  realize,  Pedro  and  Louis,  that 
these  words  may  mean  war  with  Great  Britain?" 

"Yes,"  quietly  answered  Admiral  Louis,  sinking 
back  easily  into  a  cushioned  chair.  "Carey,  you  must 
remember  that  a  new  power  has  been  born,  that  a 
Peru  is  now  in  existence  that  is  a  great  nation  of  the 
nations,  and  must  be  recognized  as  such.  We  have 
declared  ourselves,  and  if  we  are  not  recognized  then 
those  who  make .  mistakes  must  suffer  the  conse- 
quences. These  are  not  idle  threats,  nor  are  they  the 
impulses  of  a  moment,  a  day,  a  week,  or  even  a  year. 
They  are  the  logical  sequence  to  a  lifetime  of  study 
and  preparation ;  they  were  in  mind  when  Pedro  and 
I  made  the  vow  on  Mar  Bravo  Beach,  and  they  are  as 
much  in  mind  to-day." 

"Yes,"  added  President  Pedro,  "Louis  expresses 
the  case  exactly.  Take  this  matter  for  instance.  You 
have  watched  events  since  you  came  on  board  the 
Oroya  and  you  have  heard  the  instructions  given  the 
officers.  Was  not  our  motive  in  requesting  ships  to 
remain  in  the  harbor  humane?  It  was  so  regarded 
by  American,  German  and  French  commanders.  But 
the  moment  John  Bull  was  approached  on  the 
subject  he  bristled  and  asserted  himself.  Eng- 
land is  the  bully  of  small  nations,  particularly  the 
small  nations  below  the  equator.    Long  ago  we  re- 


A  Defiant  Reply    "  69 

alized  that  our  dream  could  never  come  true,  and  our 
vow  never  be  accomplished  unless  we  waged  war  with 
England,  as  well  as  Chile.  And  so  we  builded  our 
navy  to  that  end.  The  clash  must  come  sooner  or 
later,  and  it  is  well  for  it  to  come  at  once,  and  is  more 
welcome,  for  the  reason  that  we  are  in  the  right  in 
this,  our  first  demand,  that  has  met  with  a  point  blank 
refusal." 

"And  now,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  "let  us  stop  talking 
war  and  politics  and  adjourn  to  luncheon,  for  if  we 
do  not  I  fear  it  w^ll  be  some  time  before  we  can  eat, 
there  being  several  visitors  expected;  and  I  am  ex- 
ceedingly hungry." 

He  led  the  way  through  an  apartment  that  was  part 
library  and  part  conservatory.  It  was  finished  in 
Brazil  hardwoods  with  Dhagestan  rugs  on  the  floor. 
Curios  were  on  etageres  and  in  cabinets,  and  orchids 
and  creepers  were  near  the  large  windows,  for  they 
were  large  windows,  and  no  one  would  have  thought 
for  a  moment  that  he  was  on  a  man-of-war.  The 
dining-room,  into  which  this  led,  was  a  large,  well- 
lighted  apartment,  furnished  in  Brazil  woods  and  the 
most  delicate  china  ware  was  on  the  table. 

"I  feel  as  though  I  were  in  the  bachelor  apartment 
of  a  dilletante,"  said  the  correspondent,  as  he  took  a 
seat. 

"Perhaps  you  are,"  remarked  President  Pedro. 
"Brother,  you  always  did  love  the  beautiful  better 
than  I." 

"But  I  cannot  understand,"  continued  Hawkins, 
"how  it  is  that  these  delicate  dishes  and  the  ornaments 


70  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

in  the  next  room  are  not  broken  by  the  concussion  of 
your  own  guns." 

"That  you  will  understand  better  when  you  see 
us  prepared  for  action,"  said  Admiral  Louis.  "The 
Oroya  ready  for  battle  is  a  far  different  craft  from  the 
Oroya  on  dress  parade.  When  ready  for  action  these 
apartments  will  be  far  below  the  water  line,  and  will 
be  surrounded  by  a  layer  of  compressed  air  that  will 
deaden  the  vibrations." 

"And  that  reminds  me,  I  have  seen  no  guns  on 
board,  except  the  small  saluting  pieces,"  said  the  cor- 
respondent. 

"They  will  be  shown  you  in  good  time.  Now  sup- 
pose we  get  acquainted  with  that  tempting  duck  the 
steward  has  served." 

"Thanks,  I  am  as  hungry  as  you,  but  while  eating 
may  I  not  ask  questions?  Remember,  Louis,  that  I 
am  as  interested  as  a  child  would  be  if  placed  of  a 
sudden  in  fairyland." 

"Certainly,"  said  the  admiral,  laughing.  "Only  re- 
member that  I  may  have  to  reply  between  mouthfuls 
as  I  am  half  starved." 

Mr.  Hawkins  was  evidently  just  as  hungry,  for  he 
waited  several  minutes,  then  said :  "This  morning 
an  American  naval  officer  was  watching  your  advent 
through  a  telescope  at  the  English  Club,  and  he 
described  you  to  us  as  you  steamed  in.  He  reported 
two  turrets  on  each  of  the  battleships.  I  find,  upon 
coming  on  board,  that  what  he  took  for  turrets  are 
false  works,  and  that  one  of  them  encloses  your  apart- 
ments." 


A  Defiant  Reply  71 

"That  is  so,"  said  Admiral  Louis.  "The  forward 
'turret/  as  you  term  the  large  shell,  which  is  elliptical, 
and  not  round,  is  the  one  within  which  we  are  seated. 
Within  the  after  superstructure  is  the  ward  room, 
where  the  ofHcers  have  their  quarters.  The  crew  is 
•housed  below.  And  so  it  is,  Carey,  that  in  time  of 
peace  there  is  nothing  of  a  warlike  nature  on  deck, 
only  these  superstructures,  which  resemble  turrets, 
the  bridge,  the  masts,  funnels,  ventilators,  skylights 
and  such.  In  fact,  the  deck  view  of  the  Oroya  and 
that  of  the  other  battleships  is  the  same  as  the  deck 
view  of  a  merchantman,  is  it  not  so  ?" 

"Yes,  and  were  it  not  for  the  peculiar  build  and  the 
thick  sides  no  one  would  suspect  this  of  being  a  war- 
ship. And  that  reminds  me.  Where  is  the  conning 
tower,  Louis?" 

Just  then  the  stirring  notes  of  the  bugle  came  to 
their  ears.  "There !"  exclaimed  the  admiral,  "we  must 
hurry.  That's  a  call  for  side-boys,  and  it  is  evident 
some  distinguished  personage  is  coming  aboard.  Oh, 
you  said  something  about  the  conning  tower,  Hawk- 
ins.   We  will  inspect  that  later  in  the  day." 

As  he  finished,  an  orderly  announced:  "American 
admiral  and  suite  coming  on  board,  sir." 

The  marine  was  told  to  have  the  visitors  shown  into 
the  reception  room,  and  five  minutes  later  President 
Pedro,  Admiral  Louis  and  Carey  Hawkins  entered 
that  apartment,  where  formal  introductions  were  made 
by  Captain  Beausire,  who  had  received  the  American 
party. 

"You  have  indeed  surprised  us,  Admiral  Garcia  y 


72  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Garcia,"  said  Admiral  Skerrer,  "and  you,  Senor  the 
President,  I  have  been  told  that  in  no  less  degree  have 
you  participated  in  this  wonderful  change  in  matters 
of  state.  Also,  I  believe,  your  name  is  not  the  same 
as  that  by  which  we  have  become  accustomed  to 
address  you." 

"You  state  the  facts  correctly,"  replied  the  Presi- 
dent. "I  beheve  the  matter  will  be  fully  understood 
after  you  have  read  a  short  history  that  will  be  pub- 
lished this  afternoon  in  the  'Diary  Official,'  which  also 
explains  completely  what  has  been  termed  the  'mys- 
tery of  the  Chinchas.'  I  have  ordered  that  a  number 
of  copies  be  sent  to  your  Excellency  and  they  will  save 
you  the  trouble  of  listening  to  an  account  that  would 
take  long  to  relate,  should  it  be  undertaken  by  a 
person  so  interested  as  I." 

"I  would  gladly  listen  to  the  recital,"  replied  Admiral 
Skerrer,  "but  I  can  well  understand  that  you  are  very 
busy  with  affairs  of  state,  so  I  will  curb  my  curiosity 
until  I  can  peruse  a  copy  of  your  official  newspaper. 
But,  sir,  am  I  to  understand  that  war  has  been  de- 
clared by  Peru  against  Chile?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"And  another  matter :  Although  I  may  understand 
your  reasons  for  interrupting  telegraphic  communica- 
tion, I  must  ask  in  the  name  of  my  Government  when 
the  traffic  will  be  restored,  and  I  must  enter  a  protest 
against  messages  being  held  at  the  cable  office." 

"I  expected  you  to  do  this,  sir.  Communication 
will  be  restored  at  the  end  of  three  days,  and  due 


A  Defiant  Reply  73 

apology  will  be  made  the  United  States  for  the  sum- 
mary measures  we  deemed  it  necessary  to  take." 

*That  is  sufficient,  sir,"  said  the  American  officer, 
"and  I  wish  you  a  successful  outcome.  Would  you 
be  so  kind  as  to  tell  me  if  these  wonderful  ships  were 
constructed  at  the  Chincha  Islands?" 

*'Yes,  sir,  and  launched  in  an  inland  sea,  which  was 
created  at  great  expense.  In  the  near  future  I  shall 
take  pleasure  in  inviting  you  all  to  visit  what  I  con- 
sider the  most  complete  shipyard  and  naval  station  in 
the  world." 

"Lieutenant  Heatherton,  sir!"  reported  an  orderly. 

"Have  him  come  in,"  said  Admiral  Louis. 

The  lieutenant  hesitated  when  he  saw  visitors  in  the 
cabin,  but  Admiral  Louis  immediately  said:  "Make 
your  report,  Mr.  Heatherton.  You  need  not  conceal 
anything." 

"The  British  commander  had  me  shown  the  gang- 
way, sir.    That  is  all." 

"Mr.  Heatherton,  you  have  done  your  mission  well. 
It  has  been  a  most  distasteful  one,  and  you  know  that 
I  always  reward  those  who  do  their  service  faithfully. 
Here,  this  is  yours,"  and  Admiral  Louis  took  a  parch- 
ment from  his  desk.  "Here  is  your  commission  as  cap- 
tain. And  now.  Captain  Heatherton,  I  have  other  or- 
ders for  you.  At  once  proceed  to  the  Miraflores  and  re- 
lieve Captain  Sinclair,  who  has  been  ordered  to  the 
Chincha  Navy  Yard  as  commandant.  After  you  have 
mustered  the  crew  on  the  Miraflores  and  have  read 
your  commission  you  will  take  up  a  station  where 
you  will  command  the  British  ship  Shamrock.     At 


74  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

once  prepare  for  action  and  bring  3'Our  guns  to  bear 
on  that  vessel.  The  moment  her  anchor  appears  above 
the  water  line  sink  her,  but  depress  your  guns  so  as 
to  spare  the  crew.  You  need  not  wait  for  further 
orders." 

Captain  Heatherton  saluted.  A  red  flush  had  man- 
tled his  cheeks.  ''1  thank  you,  sir,"  he  said  in  a  low 
tone,  and  left  the  cabin. 

For  several  minutes  after  his  departure  not  a  word 
was  exchanged  by  those  who  had  listened  to  this 
conversation,  and  the  American  Admiral  was  just 
breaking  the  silence  when  an  orderly  announced : 
"British  Minister  coming  on  board,  sir." 

''Have  him  shown  in,"  said  Admiral  Louis;  then, 
putting  out  his  hand  toward  the  American  officers, 
who  had  risen  to  their  feet,  he  exclaimed :  ''No,  no ; 
do  not  go.  I  wish  you  to  witness  that  which  is  about 
to  happen.  I  think  you  will  learn  that  the  Chilean 
affair  is  as  nothing  in  comparison  with  this." 

Admiral  Skerrer  darted  a  glance  of  surprise  at  the 
speaker,  then  resumed  his  seat,  as  did  the  two  Ameri- 
can lieutenants  who  were  of  his  party. 

A  moment  later,  a  stout,  red-faced  man,  of  about 
fifty,  clad  in  a  white  duck  suit  and  carrying  in  hand 
a  straw  helmet,  entered  the  room.  A  lean,  sallow  in- 
dividual, evidently  his  secretary,  followed  him,  as  did 
an  officer,  uniformed  as  a  lieutenant  of  the  British 
navy.  The  latter  stood  near  the  door  and  refused  a 
seat  when  one  was  proffered  him  by  a  cabin  servant. 

"Minister  St.  John,  of  Great  Britain,"  the  orderly 
had  announced. 


A  Defiant  Reply  75 

The  Englishman  bustled  up  to  the  table,  treating 
everyone  in  the  room  with  contempt,  until  his  eyes 
caught  sight  of  the  American  admiral.  Then  he  ex- 
claimed :  "Can  it  be  possible,  sir,  that  you  are  coun- 
tenancing pirates  and  freebooters?" 
"Have  a  care !" 

Everybody  looked  in  the  direction  from  which  this 
warning  voice  had  come,  the  deep  tones  of  which  re- 
verberated throughout  the  room.  They  saw  Admiral 
Louis,  toying  w^th  a  piece  of  bric-a-brac  and  smiling 
benignly  upon  those  present.  He  said  nothing  more, 
and  this  silence  evidently  reassured  the  diplomat,  who 
called  to  his  secretary :  "Mr.  Simpkins,  have  your 
notebook  ready.  I  wish  every  word  of  this  interview 
taken  down."  Then  stepping  toward  the  Peruvian 
admiral,  he  said :  "And  now,  Mr. — Mr. — what's  your 
name?" 

"Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia  is  my  title,  and 
considering  the  prevailing  ignorance  of  the  times,  it 
is  not  remarkable  you  have  not  heard  of  it,"  was  the 
reply,  in  soft  purring  accents. 

"Oh,  yes.    Mr.  Garcia ." 

"One  moment,  Mr.  St.  John.  Orderly,  call  Sergeant 
Graham." 

"Aye!    aye!    sir." 

A  handsome  fellow  soon  appeared  at  the  door.  He 
was  fully  six  feet  tall,  broad  shouldered  and  straight 
as  an  arrow.  Clad  in  the  black  uniform  of  the  Peru- 
vian navy,  with  the  glistening  silver  chevrons  and  sil- 
ver buttons,  he  was  magnificent  as  he  walked  up  to 
the  admiral  of  the  fleet  and  saluted. 


76  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Sergeant,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  slowly  and  delib- 
erately, "if  that  man  over  there  fails  to  address  me  as 
he  should,  and  does  not  name  my  rank,  take  him  by 
the  coat  collar  and  lead  him  to  the  gangway." 

"Aye,  aye,  sir." 

"Why,  this  is  outrageous,  sir !"  exclaimed  the  Min- 
ister, who  had  become  so  red  in  the  face  as  to  be 
almost  apoplectic.  "This  is  appalling!  I,  her  Maj- 
esty's representative,  addressed  in  this  manner !  Sure- 
ly, Mr. 1  mean  Admiral  Garcia  (for  the  ser- 
geant had  taken  a  step  toward  him)  you  do  not  mean 
what  you  have  said?    Surely,  you  will  apologize." 

He  hesitated  a  moment,  as  if  expecting  a  reply,  but 
the  Peruvian  admiral  said  nothing. 

The  amazement  depicted  on  the  face  of  Minister 
St.  John  changed  to  alarm.  "Why — why — why — "  he 
stammered.  "I'm  sure  I  didn't  mean — .  But  your 
th — reat  to  the  commander  of  the  Shamrock  that  you 
would  sink  the  ship  if — if — if  she  put  to  sea.  Surely, 
you  did  not  mean  that." 

"Yes,  sir,"  repHed  Admiral  Louis. 

"What !"  exclaimed  the  British  Minister.  "Sink  an 
English  ship !  Why,  M — I  beg  pardon,  Admiral  Gar- 
cia, the  idea  is  preposterous.  It  would  mean  war — 
annihilation." 

"I  am  aware  what  would  result." 

"But  war!  War  with  Great  Britain!  Come  now, 
you  must  be  joking!  Just  say  that  you  are  joking, 
that  this  is  a  little  pleasantry,  and  I  will  arrange  the 
matter  so  that  it  shall  not  be  officially  reported." 

"Enough  of  this  nonsense,  sir,"  said  Admiral  Louis, 


A  Defiant  Reply  jy 

rising.  *'We  can  gain  nothing  by  prolonging  this  in- 
terview. Allow  me  to  bid  you  good  day,  sir.  Ser- 
geant, escort  the  gentlemen  to  the  gangway.  But, 
hold  there  a  moment!"  And  he  stepped  across  the 
room  to  the  side  of  the  private  secretary.  "Shorthand 
notes,  eh  ?  Well,  we  will  dispose  of  those,"  and  seizing 
the  tablet  held  by  the  amanuensis  he  tossed  it  through 
the  open  window. 

It  was  several  minutes  after  the  British  Minister 
had  left  before  those  who  had  been  spectators  recov- 
ered their  equanimity.  When  they  did.  Admiral 
Skerrer  exclaimed  :  ''Do  you  realize  what  this  means  ?" 

"Perfectly,"  replied  Admiral  Louis. 

"And  you.  President  Pedro?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"War?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"War  with  England?" 

"Yes,  sir;   war  with  England!" 


CHAPTER  VI. 


SHORT  TRIP  TO   SEA— STORY  OF  THE  CHIN- 
CHA  ISLANDS. 


The  startling  declaration  made  by  the  President  of 
Peru  in  the  cabin  of  the  battleship  Oroya  caused 
the  visitors  to  jump  from  their  chairs,  so  great 
was  their  astonishment.  It  was  as  if  a  shell 
had  burst  in  the  room,  for  in  those  days,  when 
all  the  world  was  at  peace,  such  a  daring  declaration 
was  as  unexpected  as  would  have  been  the  crash  of  a 
cannon  ball  through  a  window.  But  recovering  im- 
mediately from  the  start  of  surprise,  the  American 
admiral  stepped  across  the  cabin  to  where  the  Presi- 
dent was  seated  and  seized  him  by  the  hand. 

"Bravo  !  bravo  !  senor.  How  I  envy  you  and  your 
brother !"  Then  turning  quickly  toward  his  aides, 
Admiral  Skerrer  exclaimed:  "Mind,  sirs,  that  not  a 
word  of  what  I  have  said  be  repeated  on  the  flag-ship. 
It  would  never  do  for  me  to  be  thus  quoted  as  indors- 
ing a  war,  particularly  a  war  with  Great  Britain.  My 
exclamations  were  indicative  of  personal  enthusiasm 
and  were  not  official." 

"We  understand,  sir,"  replied  the  senior  lieuten- 
ant, "and  we  share  your  personal  enthusiasm.  Of- 
ficially, all  we  have  heard  is  that  you  protest  against 
the  interruption  of  telegraphic  communication." 

78 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  79 

"Just  so  !  Just  so  !"  grimly  said  the  veteran ;  then, 
addressing  Admiral  Louis,  he  asked:  "Would  you 
have  threatened  to  fire  on  the  stars  and  stripes  had  I 
insisted  upon  leaving  port  ?" 

"No  Peruvian  gun  will  ever  be  fired  at  the  stars  and 
stripes,"  replied  the  admiral. 

"But  suppose  I  had  replied  in  terms  like  those  used 
by  the  English  commander?" 

"Then  I  would  have  handed  you  a  document,  which, 
by  the  way,  I  might  as  well  show  you  now,  and  I  think 
it  will  also  prove  that  your  'personal  enthusiasm'  is  in 
accord  with  your  duty,  instead  of  being  at  variance 
with  it." 

He  stepped  to  his  desk  and  returned  with  an  open 
letter  in  his  hand  which  he  passed  to  the  American 
officer.  As  he  did  so  all  in  the  cabin  saw  that  at  the 
top  of  the  paper  was  the  National  emblem  of  the 
United  States. 

What  was  written  there  was  soon  read  and  caused 
Admiral  Skerrer  to  exclaim  in  astonishment:  "Then 
your  plans  are  known  in  Washington  ?" 

"Partly,"  was  the  reply.  "We  have  had  diplomatic 
relations  on  these  lines  for  six  months,  and  I  am 
hopeful  that  even  a  stronger  alliance  may  be  the  out- 
come of  the  next  few  days.  Admiral,  I  have  no  objec- 
tions to  your  aides  reading  the  letter." 

The  paper  was  passed  to  the  senior  lieutenant  of 
the  visiting  party  and  was  read  by  him,  the  junior  and 
by  Carey  Hawkins  at  the  same  time,  for  Admiral 
Louis  had  motioned  him  to  peruse  it.  The  commu- 
nication was  brief.     It  bore  a  Washington  date  and 


8o  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

was  signed  by  the  President,  countersigned  by  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  read : 

"It  is  the  order  of  the  Navy  Department  that  any 
officer  of  the  United  States  navy  to  whom  this  he 
shown  extend  any  aid  possible  to  Admiral  Louis  Garcia 
y  Garcia  of  the  Peruvian  Navy  in  his  undertaking, 
short  of  actually  engaging  in  war." 

The  moment  of  silence  that  followed  the  reading  of 
this  important  document  was  broken  by  Admiral 
Skerrer,  who  said:  ''In  view  of  the  close  relations  that 
now  exist  between  us,  Admiral  Garcia,  could  you  sat- 
isfy our  curiosity  concerning  your  wonderful  fleet? 
I  understand  that  your  ships  can  develop  remarkable 
speed,  despite  their  peculiar  build,  and  from  my  cur- 
sory glance  of  the  deck  I  should  judge  your  system 
of  armament  to  be  entirely  novel." 

"Could  you  spare  a  couple  of  hours,  sir,  and  let  me 
demonstrate  what  we  have  accomplished  ?" 

^'Nothing  would  give  me  more  pleasure." 

"Will  you  be  able  to  go  with  us  for  a  short  trip  to 
sea,  President  Pedro?" 

"Not  very  well,  Louis.  I  think  I  should  return  to 
Lima.  There  is  much  to  be  done  there.  You  will 
visit  the  capital  in  the  morning,  will  you  not?" 

"Yes,  and  my  officers  will  accompany  me,  to  pay 
respects  to  the  members  of  your  cabinet  and  to  Con- 
gress." 

As  President  Pedro  rose.  Admiral  Louis  called  an 
orderly,  who  bore  word  to  the  officer  of  the  deck  to 
prepare  for  the  departure  of  the  chief  executive. 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  8i 

*Tardon  me,  Admiral  Garcia,"  interposed  the 
American  commander,  "if  you  propose  a  trip  with  me 
as  guest  I  had  better  send  one  of  my  aides  back  to  the 
flag-ship,  for  the  officers  on  board  would  wonder  what 
had  happened  should  they  see  the  Oroya  steam  out  of 
port  with  me  on  board.  Can  you  inform  me  how  long 
we  will  be  gone?" 

"It  will  not  take  over  two  hours,  sir." 

The  orderly  soon  announced  that  the  boats  were 
ready,  the  barge  for  the  President  and  the  American 
admiral's  gig  for  the  latter's  aide.  The  President  was 
accompanied  on  deck  by  the  entire  party,  who  walked 
with  him  to  the  side,  where  a  company  of  marines 
was  drawn  up,  their  arms  at  "present."  The  brothers 
shook  hands  and  a  moment  later  the  saluting  battery 
announced  in  sharp  tones  that  the  chief  executive  had 
left  the  flag-ship. 

"And  now,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  "we  w^ll  make 
arrangements  for  our  speed  trip.  It  will  be  fifteen 
minutes  before  sufficient  steam  can  be  made  for  us 
to  move  at  thirty  knots.  What  I  propose  is  that  we 
remain  in  the  cabin  while  the  Oroya  takes  a  course 
due  west  for  one  hour.  Then  let  us  go  on  deck  and  I 
promise  that  no  land  will  be  in  sight,  not  even  the 
mountain  peaks.  After  putting  about  we  can  remain 
on  deck  during  the  run  in." 

"The  plan  is  most  agreeable,"  replied  Admiral 
Skerrer. 

Word  was  sent  Captain  Beausire  to  make  steam,  at 
six  bells  slip  his  moorings  and  shape  a  course  due 
west  until  eight  bells,  then  put  back  to  his  anchorage. 


82  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"It  is  now  a  quarter  of  three,"  said  Admiral  Louis, 
after  issuing  these  orders,  "and  there  is  an  hour  and 
a  quarter  in  which  I  can  tell  you  of  life  on  the  Chincha 
Islands,  should  you  desire  to  Hsten." 

Admiral  Skerrer's  action  in  drawing  his  chair  closer 
to  that  in  which  the  Peruvian  commander  was  seated, 
told  plainer  than  his  words  of  encouragement  how 
much  the  narrative  would  please  him.  The  American 
flag  heutenant  who  had  remained  on  board  also  came 
nearer,  as  did  Carey  Hawkins. 

*T  fear  I  would  prove  a  poor  story  teller  did  not  my 
subject  interest  me,"  began  Admiral  Louis,  "but  on 
this  matter,  the  building  of  our  navy,  it  seems  as  if  I 
could  talk  forever.  So  light  your  cigars  and  I  will 
review  some  of  the  ten  years'  history  until  the  clock 
yonder  announces  that  it  is  time  to  go  on  deck." 

Briefly  touching  upon  the  reasons  that  had  actuated 
him  and  his  brother  in  taking  their  vow  Admiral  Louis 
told  of  their  search  in  the  interior  of  Peru  and  of 
their  meeting  with  the  old  Inca,  who  finally  led  them 
to  the  sea  coast  where  the  treasure  was  stored.  From 
this  point  all  was  new  to  Hawkins,  who  was  as  keenly 
interested  as  the  American  officers. 

"We  were  in  a  sad  phght  after  the  old  Inca  died," 
continued  the  admiral.  "We  were  on  a  narrow  stretch 
of  sea  coast  from  which  exit  was  barred  by  land  by 
the  promontories  to  the  north  and  south.  Having 
no  boat  and  not  even  a  bit  of  timber  with  which  to 
build  a  raft  we  could  not  leave  by  sea.  That  count- 
less treasure  was  there,  yet  we  were  in  danger  of  star- 
vation, for  there  only  remained  a  little  of  the  goat's 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  83 

flesh  the  Inca  had  carried  in  his  girdle.  So  Pedro  and 
I  decided  to  return  immediately  to  the  interior  by  the 
cliff  passage,  first,  however,  taking  the  precaution  to 
plant  near  the  beach  a  little  flagstaff  that  could  be  seen 
from  the  ocean  and  on  which  we  fastened  a  scarf.  This 
we  did,  hoping  that  we  might  be  able  to  return  by  boat 
some  day,  and  we  knew  it  was  necessary  to  mark  the 
place.  Another  matter  we  attended  to  before  leaving 
was  to  place  the  old  Inca's  body  in  the  golden  tomb, 
as  he  had  requested.  These  few  things  done,  we  en- 
tered the  passage  again,  and,  after  groping  around 
for  an  hour,  at  last  found  the  opening  into  the  narrow 
defile.  It  was  a  long,  tedious  trip  from  there  to  the 
Inca's  hut,  for  the  way  was  up-hill  and  we  were  weak 
from  lack  of  food.  We  had  not  the  incentive  of  those 
in  search  of  treasure,  nor  the  encouraging  example 
of  the  Inca  to  assist  us,  and  it  was  a  week  before  his 
hut  in  the  clearing  was  reached.  We  remained  there 
and  rested  for  several  days  and  passed  the  time  plan- 
ning what  would  be  the  best  thing  to  do  now  that 
untold  wealth  was  ours.  But,  discuss  the  problem  as 
we  might,  during  those  days  and  the  succeeding  two 
weeks,  Vvhile  we  were  making  our  way  to  the  coast, 
we  could  not  arrive  at  a  determination,  and  when,  at 
last,  after  a  four-years'  absence,  we  arrived  at  Callao, 
it  was  without  a  plan  of  procedure  for  the  morrow. 

"That  night  we  met  the  man  who  made  success 
possible ;  to  him  we  owe  almost  as  much  as  to  the 
Inca :  one  found  us  the  wealth ;  the  other  showed  us 
how  to  make  use  of  it. 

".You  will  marvel  at  this  when  I  tell  you  that  he  is 


84  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

a  coal  black  negro,  but  when  you  see  him  you  will 
understand  that  he  is  different  from  others  of  his  race. 
He  is  at  the  Chinchas  now,  acting  as  Commandant, 
but  Captain  Sinclair  relieves  him  to-morrow,  and  he 
will  then  rejoin  the  fleet.  In  spite  of  his  eighty  years, 
he  is  as  sprightly  as  you  or  I  and  keeps  the  deck  in  the 
heaviest  v^^eather.  He  is  a  skilled  navigator,  a  student 
Ci  engineering,  and  there  is  no  nautical  problem  that 
he  cannot  master. 

"Years  ago  he  was  a  servant  in  our  father's  family, 
and  at  that  tim.e  he  was  called  Padre,  an  appellative 
that  has  been  his  ever  since.  Before  the  American 
civil  war  he  was  a  slave  in  Georgia.  He  escaped  and 
made  his  way  north,  and  from  some  port  in  Maine 
shipped  on  board  a  whaler.  For  twenty  years  he  sailed 
before  the  mast,  and  one  day  he  was  impressed  while 
on  the  Liverpool  docks  and  came  to  this  coast  as  a 
cook  on  a  British  gunboat.  He  was  treated  so  bru- 
tally while  on  board  that  he  deserted  while  she  was 
lying  at  anchor  in  Callao  bay,  and  for  a  week  he  kept 
in  hiding  in  the  suburbs.  Finally,  driven  by  starva- 
tion, he  asked  food  at  the  nearest  house.  That  hap- 
pened to  be  ours,  and  my  father,  seeing  him,  asked 
questions,  with  the  result  that  Padre  was  duly  in- 
stalled as  one  of  the  stewards,  in  which  position  he 
remained  until  father  died.  Then  the  home  being 
broken  up,  Padre  drew  his  savings  from  the  bank  and 
bought  a  small  store  in  Chucuito. 

'Tt  was  in  this  store  that  Pedro  and  I  found  hiir 
the  night  we  returned  from  the  interior.  There  had 
been  many  changes  in  the  neighborhood,  indeed  no 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  85 

one  had  recognized  us  except  this  old  man.  Strange 
to  say,  as  we  crossed  the  threshold  of  his  little  place 
the  thought  came  to  us  both,  as  we  found  by  compar- 
ing notes  afterwards,  that  he  was  the  person  who 
could  aid  us.  It  may  seem  strange  to  you  that  we 
should  have  decided  to  appeal  to  a  negro,  but  you  will 
understand  when  you  see  him  for  he  is  above  the 
average  person,  black  or  white,  in  intelligence.  I  am 
positive  that  he  was  a  member  of  a  royal  family  in 
Africa,  the  country  where  he  was  born.  To  this  day 
he  speaks  of  the  times  when  he  was  a  child  and  of  the 
men  and  women  who  attended  to  his  every  want  and 
of  the  homage  that  was  shown  him. 

"But  be  all  this  as  it  may,  Padre  proved  himself 
equal  to  the  occasion,  and  more  than  merited  the  con- 
fidence v/e  placed  in  him.  The  very  next  day  he  with- 
drew from  the  bank  all  his  savmgs  and  chartered  a 
small  steamship  from  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation 
Company.  It  was  a  launch,  rather  than  a  steamship, 
but  plenty  large  enough  for  our  purpose  in  those 
peaceful  waters.  He  left  his  store  in  charge  of  a  clerk 
and  stated  that  he  was  going  on  a  fishing  cruise.  All 
this  time  he  told  us  to  remain  in  concealment,  which 
shows  that  even  then  he  was  planning  far  ahead  and 
did  not  wish  our  identity  to  become  known.  Besides 
ourselves  there  were  on  the  little  vessel,  which  left 
Callao  bay  the  third  day  after  our  return  from  the 
interior,  two  deck  hands  and  an  engineer.  They  were 
informed  that  we  were  prospecting  for  nitrate  beds, 
a  common  enough  occupation  in  those  days. 

"Padre  was  captain,   and   we   took   a  course  Hue 


86  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

west  until  out  of  sight  of  land,  then  steered  south  and 
then  east,  coming  close  to  land  just  below  Arica.  For 
three  days  we  coasted  at  slow  speed  close  in  shore, 
lying-to  at  night,  that  we  might  not  run  by  the  spot. 
Late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day,  when  we  were 
becoming  nervous  lest  something  had  happened  to 
our  signal,  Pedro  spied  the  little  flag-staff  and  scarf 
as  we  rounded  a  promontory,  and  we  dropped  anchor 
at  a  spot  that  has  since  become  the  port  Buena  Vista, 
and  which,  I  have  learned,  recently  formed  the  subject 
for  an  American  Naval  officer's  report." 

Admiral  Skerrer  nodded  at  this,  and  remarked  that 
he  had  received  a  copy  of  the  document. 

'Tedro,  Padre  and  I  were  the  only  ones  to  go  ashore 
there,"  Admiral  Louis  resumed.  "We  visited  the  cav- 
ern where  the  gold  was  stored  and,  placing  as  much 
of  it  as  we  could  in  sacks,  we  carried  them  to  the  small 
boat  and  then  rowed  our  precious  cargo  out  to  the 
launch.  Telling  the  crew  that  we  had  secured  all  the 
specimens  we  cared  for,  we  put  to  sea  again.  Once 
more  Pedro  and  I  were  completely  at  a  loss  to  know 
how  to  proceed,  but  not  so  Padre.  On  board  we  had 
plenty  of  treasure  for  the  initial  work,  and  he  described 
to  us  the  plan  he  had  formed.  Years  before,  he  said, 
he  had  visited  the  Chincha  Islands  while  he  was  a 
deck  hand  on  a  whaler,  and  there  was  no  place,  he 
thought,  so  suitable  for  our  headquarters.  The  islands 
were  below  the  horizon  from  the  Peruvian  coast  and 
were  out  of  the  track  of  all  ships ;  they  were  deserted 
and  there  was  nothing  on  their  barren  rocks  that 
would  tempt  anyone  to  call.     But  it  would  never  do 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  87 

to  take  the  crew  into  our  secret,  and  Padre  explained 
his  plan  of  ridding  the  launch  of  them.  So  long  as 
the  vessel  was  chartered  we  must  perforce  employ  the 
engineer  at  least.  Therefore  a  quick  run  was  made 
back  to  Callao,  and  upon  our  arrival  Padre  purchased 
the  boat.  Once  it  was  ours  the  crew  was  discharged 
after  receiving  liberal  wages,  and  we  put  to  sea  again. 

"Pedro  and  I  had  wondered  why,  on  the  voyage 
south,  Padre  had  insisted  upon  our  watching  the  en- 
gineer and  steersman  so  closely.  Now  we  found  out, 
for  we  were  to  take  their  places.  We  also  learned 
that  Padre  was  as  much  at  home  on  a  ship  as  he  vv-as 
in  his  store,  and  that  he  understood  the  mechanism  of 
the  engine-room  as  well  as  he  did  the  workings  of 
the  wheel  or  the  boxing  of  the  compass.  So  with  the 
negro  as  captain  we  made  a  swift  run  to  the  Chincha 
Islands,  which  we  virtually  took  possession  of  the 
following  day. 

"Our  first  act  was  to  bury  the  treasure,  keeping 
only  enough  for  immediate  wants. 

"Then  Padre  took  us  for  a  walk  over  the  largest 
island  of  the  group  and  unfolded  a  plan  he  had  formed, 
a  plan  to  build  at  this  point  the  greatest  shipyard  in 
the  world  and  create  the  largest  naval  station.  He 
pointed  to  a  wide,  deep  valley  and  showed  that  on  the 
western  side  there  was  but  a  narrow  neck  of  land 
separating  it  from  the  sea.  A  passageway  could  be 
blasted  there,  he  said,  the  ocean  would  flood  the  val- 
ley and  there  would  be  created  an  artificial  basin  al- 
most as  large  as  Callao  Bay,  in  which  the  navies  of 


88  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

che  world  might  lie,  and  which  would  be  protected 
from  the  gaze  of  the  curious  by  the  hills. 

"But  let  me  interrupt  you  a  moment,  gentlemen," 
and  Admiral  Louis  glanced  at  his  watch.  "We  are 
now  under  way;  in  fact  we  left  the  anchorage  just 
three  minutes  ago.  Do  you  perceive  any  motion,  or 
feel  any  throb  of  the  engines  or  screws?" 

"Indeed  no,"  replied  Admiral  Skerrer.  "Yet  I  can 
see  you  are  right,"  and  he  pointed  to  the  windows,  past 
which  a  forest  of  masts  seemed  to  be  passing,  as  tele- 
graph poles  appear  to  pass  an  express  train. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

A  SHORT  TRIP  TO  SEA— STORY  OF  THE  CHIN- 
CHA   ISLANDS  CONTINUED. 

The  party  in  the  cabin  of  the  Oroya  did  not  gaze 
long  out  the  windows  for  the  Peruvian  admiral's  story 
was  far  too  interesting,  and  as  their  faces  expressed 
their  anxiety  to  have  him  resume  his  narrative,  he  at  ^ 
once  continued  the  recital  of  the  old  negro's  plans  for 
the  transformation  of  the  Chinchas. 

"The  following  day,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  "we  re- 
turned to  Callao,  but  during  the  night  Padre  unfolded 
the  boldest  plan  of  all  and  one  that  we  cried  bitterly 
aganist,  but  which,  he  insisted,  would  have  to  be 
agreed  to.  Pedro  and  I  must  part,  he  said.  The  first 
thing  necessary  was  absolute  control  of  the  Chinchas. 
To  secure  them  by  purchase  would  arouse  suspicion 
and  cause  gossip ;  they  must  be  secured  by  strategy. 
Then  he  explained  that  Pedro  should  endeavor  to  be- 
come President  of  Peru.  The  idea  seemed  prepos- 
terous at  first,  but  after  he  had  argued  the  matter  a 
short  time  it  came  to  us  in  a  different  light.  Money 
was  all  powerful  and  we  had  that.  Peru  was  in  des- 
perate straits  and  willing  to  accept  anything  that  gave 
even  a  hope  of  a  change.  Pedro,  though  young,  was 
well  fitted  for  the  office  and  there  was  nothing  that 
could  be  said  against  him. 

"At  this  time  there  was  one  man,  a  banker,  who 
89 


90  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

stood  in  a  position  to  name  the  next  president. 
Through  Padre  we  took  him  into  our  confidence,  and 
he  has  so  well  observed  the  agreement  we  made  with 
him  that  we  are  only  too  glad  that  he  has  been  able  to 
accumulate  a  fortune  while  assisting  us. 

"The  parting  from  Pedro  was  bitter;  he  went  to 
the  north,  from  where  he  was  to  come  when  matters 
were  ready  for  him  to  enter  Lima  society,  and  Padre 
and  I  returned  to  the  Chinchas  where  we  lived  for 
several  months  in  tents. 

"In  order  that  we  might  visit  Buena  Vista  without 
arousing  suspicion  we  secured  a  concession  to  work 
nitrate  beds  in  that  vicinity,  and  this  also  accounted 
for  our  carrying  away  cargoes  from  that  place.  Three 
small  steamers  were  purchased  and  a  company  formed. 
The  regular  run  of  these  vessels  was  between  Buena 
Vista  and  Callao,  and  it  was  years  before  it  became 
known  that  on  the  trips  north  they  stopped  at  the 
Chinchas,  where  they  delivered  ton  after  ton  of  gold. 

"In  due  time  Pedro  was  elected  to  the  office  it  was 
so  desirable  he  should  fill,  and  it  became  necessary  for 
us  to  take  one  more  person  into  our  confidence.  He 
was  a  ship  chandler,  of  German  descent — at  present 
secretary  of  state — and  with  him  and  with  the  banker 
we  placed  much  treasure,  for  it  was  advisable  to  have 
payments  for  cargoes  made  in  a  medium  of  exchange 
that  would  not  arouse  suspicion. 

"The  agents  in  Lima  sent  word  to  their  correspond- 
ents all  over  the  world  that  a  demand  existed  for 
skilled  mechanics  and  inventors.  The  names  of  such 
persons  as  might  prove  useful  were  secured  by  these 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  91 

correspondents  and  forwarded  through  the  Lima 
houses  to  us,  together  with  short  biographical  sketches 
of  the  men.  From  the  inform.ation  thus  acquired  we 
were  able  to  choose  those  whom  we  thought  would 
best  serve  our  interests.  The  salaries  we  offered  were 
such  that  an  immediate  acceptance  of  our  terms  was 
usually  forthcoming.  In  letters  sent  to  those  we  de- 
sired to  employ  it  was  stated  that  their  skill  was 
needed  upon  an  invention,  concerning  which  the 
greatest  secrecy  was  necessary,  and  that  more  would 
be  revealed  upon  their  arrival  in  Lima.  Round  trip 
tickets  from  their  homes  were  provided,  so  that  they 
could  return  should  the  final  conditions  not  prove 
satisfactory.  When  they  reached  the  Peruvian  capital 
they  were  met  by  either  Padre  or  one  of  our  trusted 
agents  and  were  informed  that  the  works  were  out 
in  the  Pacific,  that  they  would  have  to  bind  them- 
selves not  to  ask  to  leave  the  islands  for  ten  years, 
and  that  in  compensation  for  their  agreeing  to  our 
terms  their  pay  would  be  many  times  greater  than 
they  were  receiving  in  the  country  from  which  they 
came,  in  fact  larger  even  than  we  had  intimated  in 
our  letters.  So  convinced  were  those  we  summoned 
of  our  good  faith  that  of  the  many  thousands  to  whom 
we  made  overtures  but  three  returned  home.  I  may 
as  well  add  that  those  we  employed  were  permitted  to 
bring  their  families  with  them,  in  fact  they  were  en- 
couraged to  do  so. 

"The  first  day  an  employe  reached  the  islands  he 
was  given  the  fullest  confidence  and  his  opinion  was 
sought  concerning  the  material  it  was  necessary  to 


92  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

import.  The  result  was  that  he  at  once  took  a  per- 
sonal interest  in  the  undertaking. 

"You  must  understand,  sirs,  that  our  work  was 
like  the  building  of  a  new  world.  We  started  with 
nothing  but  the  rocks  and  the  sand  dunes  of  the 
Chincha  Islands,  a  more  barren  place  than  which  could 
hardly  be  imagined.  Not  only  was  it  necessary  to 
bring  from  afar  the  material  with  which  to  carry  out 
our  plans,  but  it  was  imperative  to  import  everything 
that  would  render  the  place  habitable  and  comfort- 
able. Even  before  this  there  was  much  work  neces- 
sary. For  the  health  of  the  inhabitants  vegetation 
was  needed,  and  to  coax  trees  and  shrubs  the  islands 
had  to  be  irrigated.  Here  a  kind  Providence  aided  us, 
and  at  the  depth  of  200  feet  we  found  an  artesian  well 
of  great  capacity  that  poured  forth  water  as  clear  as 
crystal,  evidently  from  the  Andes,  that  flowed  through 
a  fissuie  under  the  sea.  This  well  has  never  run  dry, 
it  has  never  lost  force  and  from  it  all  the  islands  of 
the  group  are  supplied  by  the  means  of  submarine 
pipes.  That  is  how  we  were  able  to  turn  the  Chinchas 
into  a  little  Eden,  and  I  believe  there  is  to-day  no 
more  attractive  spot  in  the  world. 

"But  think  of  the  minutiae  of  the  labor!  Garden 
seeds,  bulbs,  shoots  and  young  trees  had  to  be  im- 
ported and  planted,  and  so  did  the  fertilizer.  Small 
shipments  were  first  consigned  to  Padre  at  Lima  and 
he  brought  them  to  the  islands  in  his  coasting  vessels. 
Later  it  became  necessary  to  import  by  the  cargo  load. 

"By  this  time  there  wxre  thousands  of  articles 
needed  and  so  steamers  and  sailing  ships  were  char- 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  93 

tered  by  the  Lima  houses  I  have  mentioned  and  also 
by  the  newly  established  firm,  Garcia  y  Garcia.  The 
destination  of  these  vessels,  as  given  in  the  papers 
filed  at  the  customs  houses  located  at  sailing  points, 
was  changed  from  time  to  time,  Rio  de  Janeiro, 
Buenos  Ayres,  Monte  Video,  Valparaiso,  Iquiqui, 
Arica  and  Gallao  being  named.  Although  the  ships 
were  ostensibly  bound  for  one  of  these  ports  they  all 
steered  for  the  Chincha  Islands,  and  as  the  crews 
were  in  our  employ  none  was  ever  the  wiser  as  to  the 
true  port  of  destination. 

"But  I  am  somewhat  in  advance  of  my  story.  After 
the  vegetable  world  was  established  it  was  necessary 
that  animal  life  should  be  propagated,  then  towns  had 
to  be  built  and  a  system  of  government  established, 
for  although  a  large  military  force  was  maintained  on 
the  islands,  it  was  done  for  the  purpose  of  coping  if 
necessary  with  outside  interference,  not  for  the  regula- 
tion of  internal  affairs,  and  martial  law  was  never 
declared. 

"With  the  establishment  of  village  life  it  was  neces- 
sary that  other  operatives  should  be  secured  than  those 
directly  employed  in  building  a  navy.  Storekeepers, 
bakers,  butchers  and  all  the  tradespeople  one  meets 
in  a  city  were  brought  to  the  Chinchas.  They  signed 
the  same  contracts  as  did  the  artisans.  If  they  did 
not  care  to  invest  their  money,  we  furnished  them  with 
the  goods.  All  were  allowed  their  profits,  and  the  day 
the  fleet  sailed  they  were  told  they  could  return  to 
their  homes.  Only  a  few  cared  to  go,  and  these  were 
mostly  persons  who  had  not  brought  their  families 


94  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

with  them.  A  number  said  they  would  visit  their 
native  land  for  a  short  time  and  then  return,  while  the 
majority  preferred  to  remain  on  the  islands. 

"You  may  think  that  these  persons  were  prisoners, 
but  none  of  them  ever  looked  at  the  matter  in  that 
light.  They  went  to  the  Chinchas  knowing  full  well 
what  was  expected  and  they  were  not  there  very  long 
before  they  became  as  much  interested  in  the  work 
as  we  were,  and  they  realized  how  necessary  it  was  to 
keep  everything  secret. 

"With  all  our  isolation  we  were  closer  in  touch  with 
the  world  than  one  might  suppose.  The  newspapers, 
latest  books  and  magazines  were  brought  us  regularly, 
letters  were  written  and  letters  received.  The  only 
restriction  concerning  the  former  was  that  no  mention 
be  made  of  the  manner  of  work  engaged  upon  or  of 
the  exact  location  of  the  sender,  Lima  always  being 
given  as  the  postofifice  address.  No  inspection  of  mail 
matter  was  attempted,  the  promise  of  a  correspondent 
being  deemed  sufficient,  and  it  speaks  well  for  human 
nature  that  not  in  a  single  instance  was  the  trust  be- 
trayed. But  this  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  for  the  men 
and  women  we  employed  were  persons  of  recognized 
worth  in  the  community  from  whence  they  came." 

"Women!"  ejaculated  Admiral  Skerrer.  "Women 
to  aid  in  building  battleships?" 

"Yes,  many  women  were  engaged  on  the  islands, 
but  hardly  in  the  direct  work  of  constructing  the  navy. 
There  were  of  course  the  wives  and  children  of  the 
inhabitants.  Then  you  must  bear  in  mind  that  the 
actual  construction  of  the  fleet  was  the  easiest  part 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  95 

of  it  all,  and  that  for  three  years  we  labored  at  pre- 
liminaries before  even  the  design  of  a  warship  was 
made.  The  women,  aside  from  those  who  came  as 
members  of  families,  were  brought  to  the  Chinchas 
as  school  teachers,  as  nurses,  as  seamstresses  and  as 
domestics ;  there  were  others  who  found  employment 
in  architects'  offices,  as  stenographers  and  as  clerks. 
Physicians  also  came  and  a  hospital  was  built.  In 
like  manner  we  have  churches,  libraries  and  schools. 
In  fact,  special  attention  was  paid  to  educational  mat- 
ters, for  we  well  knew  this  would  in  the  end  increase 
the  efficiency  of  our  working  force. 

"But  now,  gentlem.en,"  and  Admiral  Garcia  pointed 
to  a  clock  that  stood  on  his  desk,  "it  is  time  for  us  to 
adjourn  to  the  deck  if  you  wish  to  enjoy  the  return 
trip,  which  I  promise  you  shall  be  at  nearly  the  speed 
of  an  express  train." 

"You  have  entertained  me  as  I  was  never  enter- 
tained before,"  said  Admiral  Skerrer.  "President 
Pedro  said  that  certain  matters  would  be  published 
to-day  in  the  'Diary  Official,'  but  I  would  much  pre- 
fer hearing  you  relate  them  all." 

"So  should  I,  if  it  were  possible,"  said  the  senior 
Heutenant,  who  had  accompanied  the  American  com- 
mander. 

"Very  well,  then,"  replied  the  Peruvian.  "When 
we  return  to  the  harbor  please  consider  yourselves 
my  guests  at  dinner,  and  in  the  evening,  after  we  have 
finished  our  repast,  I  will  conclude  the  history  of  the 
Chinchas.    Now,  gentlemen,  shall  we  go  on  deck?" 

From  the  admiral's  cabin  it  was  but  a  dozen  steps 


96  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

to  the  wheel-house,  a  large,  roomy  structure,  con- 
structed of  hard  woods,  with  circular  windows  of  plate 
glass,  permitting  a  view  in  every  direction.  It  was 
such  a  wheel-house  as  one  might  expect  to  see  on  a 
yacht  or  a  passenger  steamship.  For  that  matter  all 
the  deck  work  was  in  harmony  with  the  idea  that  the 
Oroya  was  an  immense  pleasure  craft,  and  as  Admiral 
Skerrer  looked  about  him  he  remarked  for  the  second 
time  that  day :  "Were  it  not  for  the  thick  sides  of 
this  vessel  I  could  not  believe  we  are  on  a  battleship. 
As  it  is,  I  cannot  understand  this  light  deck-work,  this 
abundance  of  plate  glass  and  these  exposed  super- 
structures that  would  be  carried  away  by  the  smallest 
of  round  shot.  Why,  even  a  rifle  ball  would  penetrate 
anything  in  sight.  As  for  guns,  I  have  seen  nothing 
save  the  Httle  brass  pieces  in  the  bow,  and  I  know 
they  are  solely  for  salutes.  And  your  sailors.  Admiral 
Garcia,  they  have  the  appearance  of  being  clad  in 
yachting  costume,  the  few  that  I  have  seen.  At  pres- 
ent only  two  or  three  of  them  are  about,  yet  there  must 
be  a  great  number  on  board  to  man  such  a  craft!" 

"Nearly  a  thousand,  sir,"  Admiral  Louis  said. 

"But  why  is  all  this  so?"  inquired  the  American. 
"Will  you  tell  us  the  meaning  of  the  riddle?  Come, 
now,  I  see  an  officer  on  the  bridge  and  a  marine  pacing 
up  and  down  in  front  of  your  cabin ;  what  other  war- 
like sign  is  there?" 

Admiral  Louis  smiled  as  he  said :  "I  see  that  I  must 
satisfy  you,  and  I  agree  to  do  so  as  soon  as  we  come 
about.  But  it  is  exactly  eight  bells,  the  hour  I  said 
we  should  return  to  port,  and  now  watch  this  neat 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  97 

maneuver,  and  also  notice  that  no  land  is  in  sight, 
although  we  have  been  gone  from  the  anchorage  but 
sixty  minutes." 

They  looked  around  when  their  attention  was  called 
and  saw  only  the  deep  blue  ©f  the  Pacific ;  in  the  east, 
where  they  knew  the  shore  line  lay,  the  ocean  and 
sky  seemed  to  meet. 

At  that  moment  the  officer  on  the  bridge  pulled 
over  the  pointer  on  the  dial  and  at  the  same  time  sang 
out  an  order  to  the  quartermaster.  Over  went  the 
wheel  and  the  Oroya's  bow  com.menced  to  swing.  The 
motion  was  as  if  she  were  turning  on  a  fulcrum.  In 
thirty  seconds  the  great  battleship  was  steaming  east- 
ward at  full  speed. 

"Turned  in  her  own  length  while  running  thirty 
knots  an  hour !    How  is  that  ?"  asked  iVdmiral  Louis. 

"Remarkable,"  replied  the  American.  "It  is  some- 
thing I  could  not  have  believed  without  being  an 
eyewitness." 

"And  now,  gentlemen,"  continued  the  Peruvian 
admiral,  "if  you  will  step  this  way  I  will  explain  to 
you  the  peculiar  construction  of  the  ship,  indeed  of 
all  the  vessels  of  the  Peruvian  Navy,"  and  he  led  them 
to  the  side. 

"The  armor  plate  of  the  Oroya,"  said  the  Admiral, 
"is  at  no  place  over  two  feet  thick  when  we  are  in 
action,  yet  how  thick  should  you  judge  these  sides 
to  be?" 

"About  four  feet,"  replied  Admiral  Skerrer,  as  he 
glanced  in  surprise  at  the  Peruvian. 

"Three  feet,  eleven  and  one-half  inches,"  said  the 


98  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

latter.  "Now  look  closely  and  you  will  perceive  that 
it  is  not  one  solid  plate,  but  that  the  side  is  composed 
of  two  plates,  an  inner  and  an  outer,  each  of  which  is 
a  fraction  of  an  inch  less  than  two  feet  thick." 

"Yes,  that  is  so,"  said  Admiral  Skerrer,  as  he  rose 
from  the  stooping  posture  he  had  assumed  in  the 
close  examination  necessary  to  see  the  fine  dividing 
line  between  the  plates. 

"When  we  prepare  for  action,"  continued  Admiral 
Louis,  "the  inner  plate  is  raised  by  powerful  machin- 
ery. It  is  convex,  and  as  it  rises  it  rounds  over  the 
deck  until  it  meets  the  plate  rising  on  the  opposite 
side.  They  form  a  complete  covering  of  steel  and  the 
Oroya  is  at  once  transformed  into  a  whaleback." 

"But  the  masts,  do  they  not  interfere  with  raising 
the  sides?" 

Admiral  Louis  looked  intently  at  his  questioner  for 
nearly  a  minute,  then  said:  "Would  you  like  to  see 
the  Oroya  prepare  for  action  ?" 

"Indeed  I  should,"  said  the  American. 

Admiral  Louis  beckoned  a  messenger  to  approach, 
then  dispatched  him  for  Captain  Beausire.  "Step  this 
way,"  he  said  to  his  guests,  and  he  led  them  to  a 
place  on  deck  a  few  feet  forward  of  the  wheel-house. 
"This  will  be  the  best  place  from  which  to  witness  the 
transformation." 

At  that  moment  the  commander  of  the  Oroya  joined 
them. 

"Prepare  for  action,  captain,"  said  Admiral  Garcia. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A   SHORT  TRIP   TO    SEA— METAMORPHOSIS   OF 
THE   OROYA. 

Captain  Beausire  saluted  after  receiving  the  order 
to  prepare  for  action  and  stepped  into  the  wheel- 
house.  Immediately  the  sound  of  electric  bells  was 
heard,  their  musical  notes  apparently  coming  from 
every  quarter. 

"They  are  ringing  all  over  the  ship,"  said  Admiral 
Louis  to  his  guests,  "in  the  ward  room  and  in  the  mes- 
sengers' bunks,  in  the  stoke  holes  and  in  the  pantries : 
they  sound  a  warning  of  the  great  transformation 
that  is  about  to  take  place  and  in  which  every  man 
on  board  has  a  part  to  play.  Watch  closely,  and  if 
you  care  to  mark  the  time  you  will  see  the  complete 
metamorphosis  of  the  Oroya  within  ten  minutes." 

As  he  finished  speaking  the  loud,  sweet  note  of  a 
bugle  rang  out  and  instantly  a  dozen  hatchways  opened 
in  the  deck,  and  men  began  to  swarm  through  the 
apertures :  they  came  in  squads,  so  many  that  it  was 
difficult  to  count  them ;  each  man  seemed  an  athlete 
and  the  American  officers  gave  expression  to  their 
surprise  at  the  sailors'  appearance.  These  men  were 
not  clad  in  the  loose,  airy  uniforms  that  the  visitors 
had  characterized  as  more  befitting  yachtsmen  than 
men-of-wars-men,  but  wore  jerseys  of  black  woolen, 
close  fitting  trousers  of  the  same  somber  hue,  and 

99 


loo  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

caps  that  came  close  around  the  head  just  above  the 

ears. 

They  separated  after  leaving  the  hatchways  that 
had  been  so  suddenly  opened  for  them  and  ran  to  the 
shrouds.  Another  second  and  there  was  a  stream 
of  humanity  ascending  the  rigging.  Then  everything 
seemed  to  be  in  confusion,  lifts  were  let  loose,  guy 
ropes  were  unbent  and  there  was  a  tangled  mass 
above.  A  boatswain's  whistle  sounded  and  the  royal 
masts  were  swung  down  and  disappeared  through  an 
aperture  into  the  hold.  The  top-gallant  yards  fol- 
lowed, then  the  lower  cross-pieces.  They  came  so 
fast  that  the  effect  is  best  described  by  the  newspaper 
correspondent,  Hawkins,  who,  in  writing  of  the  scene 
afterward,  said :  'Tt  was  as  if  a  cyclone  had  released 
its  burden  of  trees  picked  up  in  a  forest." 

In  exactly  four  minutes  the  Oroya's  masts  were 
denuded  of  every  cross-piece  and  all  the  sailors  were 
on  deck  again,  where  they  formed  in  squads. 

There  was  another  shrill  whistle  and  then  was  heard 
the  clanking  of  machinery,  and  the  American  officers 
called  out  in  astonishment  as  they  saw  the  masts 
apparently  melt  away  before  their  eyes.  The  top- 
gallant masts  disappeared  into  the  top-masts  and 
these  in  turn  into  the  lower  masts,  until  there  were 
but  three  stumps  left. 

"The  masts  are  hollow,"  explained  Admiral  Louis, 
"and  the  lower  steel  tubing  holds  the  others.  It  is 
only  the  application  of  the  telescopic  principle." 

Again  the  whistle  sounded,  followed  by  more  clank- 
ing of  machinery,  and  there  ensued  a  most  peculiar 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  loi 

spectacle.  The  sides  of  the  Oroya  commenced  to  rise 
slowly,  and  as  they  rose  they  rounded  out,  so  as  to 
form  a  roof  overhead.  They  met  just  above  the  stumps 
of  masts  and  their  edges  rested  on  these  steel  posts. 
By  'them  the  Oroya's  deck  was  completely  covered, 
except  at  bow  and  stern,  and  just  as  the  side  pieces 
met  overhead  similar  sheets  of  armor  rose  fore  and 
aft,  to  an  equal  height,  and  for  a  moment  the  group 
near  the  wheel-house  were  in  partial  darkness.  But 
it  was  only  a  moment,  the  next  thousands  of  electric 
lights  made  the  place  as  bright  as  day.  All  this  time 
the  sailors  remained  at  their  stations,  in  squads,  officers 
being  in  command. 

"Look !  Look !"  exclaimed  Hawkins,  after  the 
whistle  had  blown  for  the  third  time. 

He  pointed  to  the  large  elliptical  cabin  of  the  admiral, 
which  was  disappearing  before  their  eyes,  and  so  were 
the  superstructure  aft,  the  bridge,  wheel-house,  and  all 
the  light  deck  work. 

Immense  trap  doors  had  opened,  and  when  the 
superstructures  were  half  out  of  sight  something  glis- 
tened in  the  dark  places  that  yawned  on  many  sides 
and  gradually  the  glistening  masses  came  more  into 
view,  ascending  as  the  deck  works  disappeared. 

"Guns !"  exclaimed  Admiral  Skerrer.  "And  such 
guns !" 

The  pieces  were  very  long  for  their  bore,  and  it 
could  be  seen  at  a  glance  by  the  naval  witnesses  that 
the  principle  of  rapid-fire  had  been  apphed  to  them 
all.  When  they  were  on  a  level  with  the  deck,  the 
breaches  were  amidships  and  those  on  opposite  sides 


IQ2  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

almost  touched.  The  men,  who  had  formed  in  squads, 
sprang  to  positions  the  moment  the  hoisting  machin- 
ery had  stopped,  and  in  a  few  seconds  tackle  was  at- 
tached to  the  huge  pieces  of  steel.  With  this,  which 
was  evidently  worked  by  electricity,  they  were  pulled 
from  the  stages  that  had  borne  them  from  below,  onto 
the  solid  deck,  and  then  their  muzzles  were  thrust 
through  gun  ports  that  had  been  opened  in  the  shell. 

"Seven  pieces,  that  is  all,"  remarked  Captain  Beau- 
sire,  "but  their  execution  is  terrible.  The  three  on 
each  side  are  fifteen-inch  caliber,  and  the  one  in  the 
bow  sixteen-inch.  A  shell  from  any  of  them  can 
pierce  any  battleship  that  floats." 

"Is  the  armament  the  same  on  the  other  vessels  of 
your  navy?"  he  was  asked. 

"Each  battleship  carries  the  same  number  of  guns, 
but  the  caliber  is  smaller  on  the  others,  fourteen  and 
fifteen-inch." 

"When  in  action,  do  not  the  electric  lights  inter- 
fere with  the  gunners'  aim?"  Admiral  Skerrer  ques- 
tioned. 

"They  are  turned  off,"  said  Admiral  Louis.  "Suffi- 
cient light  comes  through  the  gun  ports." 

While  they  were  talking  there  had  been  rising 
directly  in  front  of  them  a  steel  cylinder  about  five 
feet  in  diameter  and  eight  feet  long.  It  was  sup- 
ported by  a  solid  steel  piston  that  forced  the  cylinder 
up  until  it  projected  a  distance  of  four  feet  above  the 
shell,  passing  through  the  only  aperture,  except  the 
gun  ports  and  the  opening  for  the  funnels,  in  this 
svhaleback  of  armor. 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  103 

''Now,  gentlemen,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  ''if  you  will 
accompany  m^e  we  will  enter  the  conning  tower,"  and 
he  led  them  up  a  flight  of  steps  that  had  unfolded  as 
the  covering  was  raised.  They  ascended  twenty-five 
feet  and  were  then  on  a  plane  with  the  base  of  the 
cylinder.    A  door  was  open  and  they  entered. 

"This  is  the  conning  tower  I  spoke  to  you  about, 
Hawkins,"  said  Admiral  Louis.  "You  will  notice  that 
half  of  your  body  is  above  the  shell  and  half  below." 

Standing  beside  a  small  wheel  in  this  tower  was 
the  quartermaster  who,  before  the  transformation, 
had  been  steering  the  ship  below.  "He  came  up  with 
the  cylinder,"  the  Peruvian  remarked.  "It  took  just 
five  seconds  to  shift  the  steering  gear  from  the  wheel- 
house  which  you  remarked  was  like  that  on  board  a 
yacht,  to  this  wheel  in  the  tower." 

Near  the  quartermaster  was  an  officer  who  was 
introduced  as  Mr.  Cordero.  He  had  succeeded  Cap- 
tain Heatherton  as  flag  lieutenant.  At  one  side  was 
Captain  Beausire.  There  were  many  speaking  tubes, 
levers  and  buttons  in  the  little  place,  as  well  as  a 
signal  dial  for  the  engine-room.  Pigeon  holes  were 
filled  with  flags,  neatly  rolled  into  small  compass  and 
also  fireworks  for  signaling  purposes.  A  platform, 
two  feet  from  the  floor,  encircled  the  little  place.  By 
stepping  upon  it  the  officers  could  look  through  the 
narrow  slits  that  were  only  a  few  inches  below  the  top 
of  the  conning  tower.  They  saw  beneath  them  a 
round  mass  of  highly  poHshed  steel  that  was  rushing 
through  the  water  with  express  train  speed.  Dead 
ahead  the  shore  line  was  slowly  coming  into  view. 


I04  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"You  will  observe,"  said  Admiral  Louis,  "that  al- 
though the  tower  is  a  perfect  cylinder  from  the  out- 
side, from  within  it  is  smaller  at  the  top  than  at  the 
bottom.  That  is  because  half  of  it  is  exposed  and 
half  protected  by  the  shell.  The  half  that  is  exposed 
of  course  has  thick  sides,  while  that  below  is  but 
quarter-inch." 

"The  Oroya,  then,  is  protected  in  every  part,"  re- 
marked Admiral  Skerrer's  aide. 

"Yes,  sir.  The  only  apertures  through  which  shells 
might  enter  are  the  gun  ports,  the  slits  in  this  conning 
tower  and  the  circular  place  above  our  heads  through 
which  signals  are  hoisted  on  the  steel  rod  that  you 
notice  projects  several  feet.  But  look  dead  ahead," 
said  Admiral  Louis,  suddenly  changing  the  subject, 
"and  tell  me  what  you  see." 

Admiral  Skerrer  leveled  his  marine  glasses  In  the 
direction  indicated,  and  after  gazing  a  moment  he 
exclaimed :  "Why,  there  is  a  most  peculiar  craft  in 
the  bay !  Now  I  recognize  what  it  is.  Surely,  it  must 
be  one  of  the  vessels  of  your  squadron,  prepared  for 
action  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Oroya." 

"Yes,"  said  Admiral  Louis.  "Captain  Heatherton 
has  taken  the  position  ordered  and  is  ready  for  any 
emergency.     "And  how  about  the  Britisher?" 

"She  is  coaling.  There  are  lighters  alongside,  quite 
a  number  of  them.  The  commander  evidently  intends 
carrying  his  threat  into  execution.  He  little  knows 
what  such  an  act  will  entail  and  I  think,  in  the  in- 
terest of  humanity,  that  I  should  board  him  and  give 
warning  of  the  probable  consequences." 


A  Short  Trip  to  Sea  105 

"Please  do  nothing  of  the  sort,"  Admiral  Louis  said. 
"I  will  do  everything  within  my  power  to  save  lives. 
I  only  wish  to  sink  the  ship,  and  I  assure  you  it  will 
be  done  with  the  least  possible  loss  to  the  crew." 

They  were  soon  back  amid  the  shipping  of  Callao 
bay  and  as  the  Oroya  darted,  at  her  wonderful  speed, 
past  the  vessels  at  anchor,  all  persons  on  board  these 
ships  crowded  to  the  sides  or  hurried  into  the  rigging 
to  get  a  better  view  of  the  mysterious  visitor,  for 
none  suspected  that  she  was  the  same  craft  that  had 
steamed  from  the  harbor  two  hours  before.  It  could 
also  be  seen  that  the  shore  line  was  black  with  assem- 
bled humanity.  The  Oroya  glided  to  her  former 
anchorage,  the  ponderous  screws  were  reversed,  and 
even  as  she  seem.ed  to  be  dashing  on  shore  she  came 
to  a  full  stop.  Her  cable  was  picked  up,  and  as 
Admiral  Louis  led  the  way  from  the  conning  tower 
her  head  swung  to  meet  the  flood  tide. 

Once  more  the  bells  rang  all  over  the  ship  and 
officers  and  men  took  the  positions  as  in  preparing 
for  action.  First,  the  conning  tower  slowly  descended 
into  the  hold,  then  the  guns,  having  been  swung  over 
the  traps,  were  lowered ;  and  as  they  disappeared  the 
superstructures  rose.  The  deck  had  again  assumed 
its  peaceful  appearance  and  the  stern  and  bow  pieces 
were  lowered,  letting  in  the  light  of  day;  next  the 
ponderous  sides  sank  below  the  water  line,  where 
they  fitted  close  to  the  hull.  As  they  went  the  top- 
masts crept  out  of  the  lower  masts,  and  then  the  top- 
gallant masts  out  of  the  shells  that  held  them.  By 
the  aid  of  the  guy  ropes  three  men  ascended  the  bare 


io6  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

sticks.  Other  men  followed,  the  yards  came  up  from 
the  hold:  soon  the  rigging  was  peopled,  and  within 
a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  Oroya  had  taken  the  form 
she  had  when  she  steamed  out  of  the  bay.  Ten  min- 
utes were  consumed  in  changing  the  apparent  mer- 
chantman into  a  warship  and  fifteen  in  divesting  her 
of  a  warlike  appearance. 

But  far  out  in  the  harbor  the  Miraflores  still  ap- 
peared in  her  deadly  armor,  and  those  who  had  taken 
the  trip  on  the  flag-ship  knew  what  terrible  instru- 
ments that  whaleback  of  steel  concealed. 

Admiral  Louis  led  the  way  into  the  cabin.  Every- 
thing there  was  as  when  they  left  the  apartment ;  evi- 
dently not  even  the  delicate  ornaments  on  the  etageres 
had  been  jarred  by  the  journey  the  superstructure 
had  taken  into  the  hold. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

AT   DINNER   ON   THE   OROYA— THE   STORY   OF 
THE   CHINCHAS   CONCLUDED. 

In  the  tropics  the  transition  from  day  to  night  is 
sudden,  and  it  was  dark  when  Admiral  Louis  and  his 
guests  sat  down  at  the  dinner  table.  They  had  re- 
mained on  deck  witnesssing  the  pretty  ceremony  of 
"colors,"  which  occurred  as  the  sunset  gun  was  fired, 
and  consisted  in  the  lowering  of  the  ensigns  on  all 
vessels  of  the  fleet  while  the  band  on  the  flag-ship 
played  the  national  anthem.  This  over,  they  had  ad- 
journed to  the  cabin,  a  party  of  five.  Admiral  Skerrer, 
his  aide,  Captain  Beausire,  Carey  Hawkins  and  the 
host.  Admiral  Garcia. 

The  south  trade  wind,  that  springs  into  existence 
on  the  Peruvian  coast  every  afternoon,  ruffled  the 
surface  of  the  bay  and  swept  through  the  admiral's 
apartments,  an  invigorating,  salt-laden  current,  wel- 
come after  a  day  of  heat.  The  Oroya  and  her  sister 
ships  rolled  lazily  as  the  heavy,  glassy  swells  came  in 
stately  procession  from  afar  out,  to  lift  the  vessels  at 
will,  then  undulate  to  the  shore,  then  to  break  one 
after  another  in  sullen  roar,  their  line  being  marked 
from  La  Punta  to  Los  Banos  by  phosphorescent  fire. 

When  the  diners  had  been  at  table  half  an  hour  the 
officer  of  the  deck  sent  word  by  a  messenger  that  the 
last  three  lighters  had  just  made  fast  alongside  the 
Shamrock,  but  that  the  crew  of  the  Britisher  were 

107 


io8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

working  quite  slowly  and  it  would  be  from  two  to 
three  hours  before  she  could  clear. 

By  this  messenger  Admiral  Louis  sent  word  to  his 
flag  lieutenant  to  report  to  him  at  once,  and  when 
Mr.  Cordero  arrived  he  said:  "Signal  for  an  officer 
from  each  ship  except  the  Miraflores  to  report  on 
board  the  flag-ship,  and  when  they  have  all  arrived 
let  me  know." 

So  close  was  the  formation  of  the  squadron  and  so 
swift  the  barges  in  which  trips  around  the  bay  were 
made  by  officers  of  the  Peruvian  navy  that  at  the  end 
of  fifteen  minutes  the  report  was  brought  to  the  cabin 
that  lieutenants  from  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet 
were  waiting  the  admiral's  orders.  The  following  in- 
structions were  sent  them:  "Your  captain  will  hoist 
away  all  boats  at  eight  bells,  and  have  them  manned. 
Let  them  lie  close  under  the  side,  to  prevent  their 
being  seen  by  the  Britisher.  The  moment  the  Mira- 
flores opens  fire  have  the  small  boats  start  at  full  speed 
for  the  place  where  the  Shamrock  now  lies  at  anchor, 
for  the  purpose  of  rescuing  the  men  who  will  be  in  the 
water." 

When  the  lieutenant  who  conveyed  these  instruc- 
tions to  his  brother  officers  had  left  the  cabin,  Admiral 
Louis  said  to  the  Americans :  "Two  hundred  boats 
will  be  on  the  spot  within  five  minutes  after  the  gun 
fire,  perhaps  they  will  reach  the  Britisher's  side  before 
she  sinks." 

"Then  you  still  intend  to  sink  her?"  questioned 
the  American. 

"Certainly ;  that  is,  of  course,  if  she  tries  to  leave  the 


At  Dinner  on  the  Oroya  109 

harbor.  And  now,  gentlemen,  what  say  you  to  Hght- 
ing  cigars  and  going  on  deck,  where,  if  you  wish,  I 
will  resume  my  narrative  of  the  Chincha  Islands?'* 

The  admiral's  guests  eagerly  seconded  the  propo- 
sition and  were  led  by  him  to  the  large  bridge,  which 
not  only  ran  from  side  to  side  but  extended  for  a 
considerable  distance  fore  and  aft.  So  firm  was  this 
structure  that  it  could  hardly  be  believed,  unless  one 
had  seen  it  happen,  that  it  folded  and  disappeared  like 
other  parts  of  the  superstructure  when  the  battleship 
prepared  for  action. 

It  was  a  dark  night,  for  the  moon  had  not  risen  and 
a  thin  haze  dimmed  even  the  starlight.  Hundreds  of 
small  boats  were  still  plying  between  the  fleet  and  the 
shore,  the  occupants  of  which  gazed  with  awe  at  the 
floating  leviathans  that  had  come  to  the  rescue  of  their 
country.  Lights  were  twinklmg  in  the  city  of  Callao 
and  others  marked  the  broad  roadway  that  led  to 
Lima.  The  slow  roll  from  the  ocean  rocked  the  great 
ships  in  cradle  motion  and  the  electric  Hghts  at  the 
mastheads  described  arcs  against  the  black  density 
above.  The  hum  of  steam  winches  and  the  sharp 
commands  of  ofhcers  came  from  H.  M.  S.  Shamrock, 
proving  that  the  labor  of  coaling  ship  was  still  under 
way. 

For  several  minutes  there  was  no  conversation  car- 
ried on  by  the  officers,  and  it  was  only  after  some  one 
reminded  him  of  his  promised  narrative  that  Admiral 
Louis  began : 

*'I  told  you  this  afternoon,"  said  he,  "of  the  prepara- 
tions for  home   life  on   the   Chinchas.      Now   I    w411 


no  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

describe  the  construction  of  this  fleet.  As  I  have 
said,  every  employe  was  treated  as  a  confidant  the 
day  he  arrived  at  the  islands  and  was  told  that  any 
suggestions  he  might  ofifer  would  be  most  welcome. 
Not  only  that,  but  we  offered  rewards  for  ideas  that 
would  directly  or  indirectly  benefit  the  work  in  hand. 
Before  three  years  had  passed  we  had  the  best  men 
the  world  had  to  offer  in  every  branch  of  the  mechan- 
ical arts;  they  were  experts  in  every  line,  from  re- 
ducing ore  to  pig  iron  to  the  delicate  adjustment  of 
chronometers.  Naval  architects  were  there  from  the 
leading  maritime  powers  of  the  world,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  England,  and  to  all  these  brainy  me  we  pro- 
pounded this  problem :  Needed,  a  fleet,  small  in  num- 
ber but  of  sufficient  power  to  successfully  combat  with 
any  navy  in  the  world. 

"The  men  went  to  work  with  a  will  upon  these  lines 
and  for  two  years  there  was  a  making  and  a  destroying 
of  models  and  draughting  and  erasing  of  plans.  Mean- 
while the  importation  of  basic  articles  was  carried  on. 
Our  fleet  was  to  be  built  of  steel,  so  iron  was  needed. 
The  first  cargo  of  ore  was  shipped  from  Duluth  to 
Buffalo,  by  canal  from  there  to  New  York  and  loaded 
upon  a  ship  which  we  had  purchased.  This  shipment 
caused  considerable  comment,  the  Americans  being 
more  inquisitive  than  other  people,  so  for  over  two 
years  we  did  not  secure  any  more  of  the  raw  material 
from  that  country,  in  the  meanwhile  bringing  schooner 
loads  from  Algeria  and  Japan.  As  the  demand  in- 
creased Belgium,  Sweden,  Russia  and  Germany  were 
made  contributors  and  one  cargo  came  from  Bilboa, 


At  Dinner  on  the  Oroya  m 

Spain.  Toward  the  last  the  lake  region  was  again 
levied  upon. 

*'Our  first  furnaces  and  converters  were  of  course 
imported,  but  later,  additional  and  better  plants  were 
manufactured  on  the  islands.  And  such  was  the  case 
with  trip-hammers,  rollers  for  mills  and  the  thousand 
and  one  necessary  pieces  of  machinery. 

"The  term  'malleable  steel,'  which  I  have  used  in 
describing  our  armor  plate,  does  not  describe  it ;  in 
fact  is  a  misnomer,  but  one  which,  having  been  ap- 
plied, is  used  for  lack  of  a  better  term.  The  process  is 
a  secret,  closely  guarded  on  the  Chinchas. 

"In  addition  to  cargoes  of  iron  ore  and  several  of 
pig  iron,  many  loads  of  coal  and  coke  were  brought 
from  abroad,  and  here  let  me  remind  you  that  some 
day  I  wish  you  to  see  our  coaling  station.  I  think 
you  will  agree  that  it  has  marvelous  capacity,  consid- 
ering the  space  taken  up  by  our  intricate  machinery. 

"It  is  impossible  for  me  to  go  into  details  concern- 
ing the  articles  that  were  imported  aside  from  those  I 
have  described,  but  I  must  not  fail  to  mention  the 
quantities  of  hard  woods  from  Brazil  with  which  all 
the  ships  were  finished  in  the  interior  and  which  were 
used  in  the  construction  of  the  light  buildings  on  the 
Chinchas.  It  is  astonishing  to  me  that  this  timber 
is  not  imported  by  the  people  of  other  nations  more 
than  it  is. 

"By  the  time  the  material  was  all  ready  the  plans 
had  been  drawn.  The  idea  of  a  disappearing  arma- 
ment was  conceived  by  a  young  Swede;  that  of  an 
armored  cover,  which  would  swing  within  the  hull 


112  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

when  not  in  action,  originated  with  a  former  United 
States  naval  officer. 

"The  design  has  many  advantages,  some  of  which, 
no  doubt,  have  occurred  to  you.  While  at  sea  or  in 
port  with  the  sides  down  there  is  plenty  of  air  and 
space  for  everybody;  it  is  a  pleasure  to  be  on  board, 
as  much  so  as  on  a  yacht.  In  action  the  ship  simply 
becomes  a  great  turret.  With  the  sides  down  in  rough 
weather  the  ship  is  more  steady  than  any  modern 
vessel,  for  the  mass  of  metal  below  so  lowers  the  cen- 
ter of  gravity  that  the  motion  is  reduced  to  the  min- 
imum. And  although  the  sides  are  raised  in  action 
the  masts  are  lowered  and  the  equilibrium  is  thus 
maintained.  Of  course  the  ships  are  more  top-heavy 
with  the  sides  hoisted  than  with  them  down,  but  battles 
are  usually  fought  in  smooth  water.  Should  an  en- 
gagement take  place  during  a  gale  we  can  fight  at 
long  range  with  clear  decks,  or  we  can  raise  the  sides 
only  a  few  feet  and  then  have  as  much  protection  for 
the  crew  as  is  afforded  on  many  modern  battleships. 
For  this  purpose  there  are  plates  on  the  side  armor 
three  feet  from  the  edge,  which  when  unscrewed  reveal 
gun  ports. 

"The  idea  of  using  triple  longitudinal  screws  also 
originated  with  an  American,  and  it  has  given  us  a 
perfect  motive  power. 

"By  a  new  process  the  gases  which  are  generated 
in  the  fire  boxes  are  used  again  for  fuel,  and  there  is 
the  minimum  waste  of  force,  so  that  our  coal  consump- 
tion is  comparatively  small.     Our  bunker  supply  on 


At  Dinner  on  the  Oroya  113 

the  other  hand  is  unusually  large,  and  each  vessel  has 
a  steaming  radius  of  30,000  knots. 

*'But  to  return  to  the  story  of  the  work  on  the 
islands.  Our  headquarters  were  on  what  is  known  on 
the  charts  as  the  Isle  del  Norte,  the  largest  of  the 
three.  It  is  about  two  miles  long  and  nearly  as  wide. 
We  found  half  of  the  surface  a  valley  considerably 
below,  the  sea  level,  and  with  a  little  labor  it  was  made 
into  an  excellent  basin  of  equal  depth.  Then  the  rocks 
were  blasted  away  on  the  west  side  and  the  ocean 
rushed  in.  The  channel  was  widened  at  places  where 
necessary  and  there  v/as  a  passageway  from  the  sea, 
wide  enough  to  accommodate  any  vessel  afloat,  leading 
to  a  land-locked  harbor,  view  of  which  from  the  Pacific 
was  impossible,  because  of  the  cliffs  that  rose  to  a 
height  of  200  feet.  Our  ships  were  built  on  all  sides 
of  the  basin  and  so  were  launched  within  the  island. 
But  the  labor  did  not  end  by  any  means  with  the  con- 
struction of  the  fleet,  for  after  the  vessels  were  afloat, 
their  boilers  and  engines  set  and  the  guns  mounted 
it  was  necessary  to  make  trial  trips  and  then  drill  the 
crews." 

"Trial  trips!"  interrupted  Admiral  Skerrer.  "Where 
had  you  room  for  such?" 

"We  had  the  entire  Pacific  ocean  and  the  Atlantic 
as  well,"  replied  Admiral  Louis,  smiling.'  "Do  not 
think  that  our  appearance  in  Callao  bay  to-day  is  the 
first  time  we  have  put  to  sea.  Ships  of  our  navy  have 
not  only  made  long  voyages  from  the  Chinchas,  but 
we  have  maneuvered  as  a  squadron  for  weeks  at  a 
time.     You  must  remember  that  while  several  men 


114  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

in  this  navy  formerly  served  in  like  capacity  for  other 
nations,  yet  the  vast  majority  have  never  been  on  ships 
other  than  ours.  Therefore  it  was  necessary  that  they 
should  be  educated  to  a  maritime  life.  One  of  the 
first  institutions  established  on  the  islands  was  a  naval 
academy  with  a  training  school  attached,  and  while 
the  fleet  was  building  I  attended  the  school  as  regu- 
larly as  anybody.  The  course  lasted  four  years,  and 
\\-Q  were  graduated  about  the  time  the  first  battleship 
was  launched.  The  class  immediately  started  on  a 
cruise,  and,  leaving  Padre  in  command  of  the  station, 
I  went  out  on  the  Pisco,  sailing  as  a  watch  and  division 
officer.  We  cruised  six  months,  returning  twice  for 
coal,  and  on  the  second  trip  rounded  Cape  Horn  and 
steamed  to  the  latitude  of  Buenos  Ayres.  Our  speed, 
as  you  know,  enabled  us  to  keep  far  enough  away 
from  passing  craft  in  the  day  time  to  prevent  the 
peculiarities  in  our  build  being  recognized.  Once  or 
twice  we  were  sighted  at  night  and  signaled,  but  wc 
did  not  reply  and  steamed  away. 

"The  Oroya  was  the  second  vessel  launched,  and 
I  went  out  on  her  for  a  four  months'  cruise  as  execu- 
tive officer  under  Captain  Beausire.  Eight  months 
ago  the  fleet  was  ready  for  sea  and  there  followed  a 
series  of  squadron  maneuvers  that  lasted  until  a  week 
before  we  sailed  for  Callao.  For  many  days,  far  out 
on  the  Pacific,  we  practised  with  the  great  guns  at 
targets,  and  while  the  battleships  were  thus  engaged 
the  cruisers  formed  a  cordon  on  the  horizon,  to  warn 
us  of  any  approaching  vessel. 

"Thus  you  will  understand,  gentlemen,  that  I  do 


At  Dinner  on  the  Oroya  115 

not  command  this  fleet  simply  because  I  was  fortunate 
enough  to  be  shown  the  gold  mine  of  the  Incas.  I 
have  had  ten  years  of  the  most  thorough  education  in 
naval  matters,  comprising  not  only  school  instruction 
and  work  with  the  fleet  but  practical  naval  construc- 
tion in  the  yard  at  the  Chinchas. 

'There,  it  is  eight  bells !"  exclaimed  Admiral  Louis, 
rising.  "My  narrative  is  complete  so  far  as  it  lies 
within  my  power  to  describe.  What  I  have  failed  to 
tell  you  will  be  seen  when  you  visit  the  Chinchas  and 
when  the  fleet  is  in  action."  Saying  this  he  pushed 
back  his  deck  chair,  and  walking  to  the  rail,  gazed  for 
several  minutes  through  marine  glasses  in  the  direction 
of  the  British  battleship  Shamrock. 

"It  is  as  I  thought,"  he  exclaimed  returning  to  the 
group.  "The  Britisher  has  worked  more  rapidly  the 
last  half  hour.  I  would  not  be  surprised  if  he  were 
about  to  slip  his  cable." 

While  the  admiral  was  speaking,  the  small  boats  of 
the  Oroya  were  being  lowered  into  the  water,  and 
those  on  the  bridge  recalled  the  order  that  had  been 
given  for  execution  at  eight  bells.  Once  in  the  water 
boats  were  manned  and  the  crews  rested  on  their  oars. 

Admiral  Garcia  turned  to  his  flag  officer  and  said : 
"Signal  the  Miraflores  that  the  Britisher  will  probably 
slip  her  cable." 

A  few  seconds  after  the  lieutenant  entered  the  wheel- 
house  a  brilliant  flash  shot  from  the  round  structure 
on  the  Oroya's  forward  deck  and  shone  against  the 
black  night.  It  was  followed  by  others,  some  long 
others  short — dots  and  dashes  of  Hght. 


CHAPTER   X. 

SINKING    OF    THE    SHAMROCK 

"That  is  an  electric  flash  signal,"  remarked  Admiral 
Louis,  noticing  the  surprise  expressed  by  his  guests  at 
the  darts  of  light  that  shot  from  the  wheel-house.  "It 
can  be  seen  even  below  the  horizon  line  on  dark  nights 
because  of  reflection  on  the  clouds,  and  when  the 
moon  is  shining  it  is  better  than  any  other  system  of 
communication  at  sea  because  of  the  brilliancy  of  the 
rays." 

"But  you  have  rockets,  candles  and  red  and  blue 
flares  on  board,"  ventured  Hawkins.  "I  noticed  them 
in  the  wheel-house." 

"True,  but  they  are  for  the  purpose  of  signalling 
merchant  ships  or  vessels  of  another  navy.  In  such 
instances  we  have  to  employ  the  international  code 
and  fireworks  are  necessary.  But  the  electric  flash  is 
the  only  system  in  vogue  in  the  Peruvian  navy." 

At  this  time  the  admiral  and  his  guests  were  stand- 
ing on  the  port  side  of  the  Oroya's  bridge  and  were 
looking  in  the  direction  of  the  British  battleship.  Her 
position  was  plainly  defined  by  a  red  reflection  that 
hung  over  her  two  funnels,  telling  those  who  watched 
that  her  fires  were  being  fanned  by  forced  draught. 
Lights  were  moving  like  will-o-the-wisps  about  her 
decks,  evidently  lanterns  carried  by  men  who  were 

ii6 


Sinking"  of  the  Shamrock  117 

superintending  the  stowing  away  on  board  of  the  last 
tons  of  coal  that  were  coming  over  the  sides  from  the 
lighters :  more  lights  shone  through  port  holes,  from 
mess  rooms,  cabins,  pantries  and  living  quarters  below 
deck;  and  one  light  shone  from  the  forestay,  an  in- 
ternational signal  that  the  ship  was  at  anchor. 

The  visitors  from  the  American  flag-ship,  the 
admiral  who  was  their  host,  and  those  of  his  suite  who 
had  accompanied  him  upon  the  bridge,  made  no  com- 
ment as  they  closely  watched  these  preparations.  All 
understood  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand ;  that  there  could 
be  no  escape  from  carrying  into  execution  the  ulti- 
matum of  the  afternoon. 

Five  miinutes  passed  and  then  the  little  light  that 
hung  over  the  Shamrock  seemed  to  detach  itself  from 
the  forestay,  waver  a  few  seconds  in  mid-air,  as  if  un- 
decided what  to  do,  and  then  moved  slowly  toward 
the  deck.  As  this  happened  the  faint  stroke  of  a  gong 
came  over  the  water. 

"The  nig-ht  is  so  still  that  we  can  hear  the  bell  in 
her  engine-room,"  remarked  the  American  fiag  officer 
to  Hawkins.  These  two  had  stepped  a  few  paces  to 
one  side,  that  they  might  talk  'together  without  in- 
terrupting the  admirals. 

As  the  American  officer  spoke.  Captain  Beausire 
hurriedly  left  the  bridge  and  hastened  forward.  A  few 
seconds  later  a  bolt  of  light  darted  from  the  side  of  the 
Oroya  and  instantly  struck  and  surrounded  the  British 
v.'arship.  Rays  from  a  searchlight  far  more  powerful 
than  any  ever  seen  by  the  visitors  had  been  thrown 
over  the  waters  by  the  Peruvian  flag-ship,  and  the 


ii8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Shamrock  became  the  center  of  a  fiery  circle  that  had 
eaten  a  great  hole  in  the  night.  So  brilliant  was  the 
glare  that  the  smallest  detail  on  the  Britisher  c^ould 
be  discerned,  and  those  on  the  Oroya  who  had  marine 
glasses  could  watch  the  actions  of  the  men  who  moved 
about  the  decks  and  even  the  features  of  the  officers 
who  stood  in  silhouette  on  the  bridge. 

As  they  gazed  intently  in  this  direction  they  saw 
the  bow  of  the  Shamrock  commence  to  swing  slowly 
to  starboard,  her  head  being  brought  up  to  shape  a 
course,  and  then  they  saw  a  splash  of  spray  under 
her  stern  and  a  churning  of  the  water;  at  the  same 
moment  dense  clouds  of  smoke  poured  from  the  fun- 
nels, extinguishing  the  red  glow  that  had  hung  there. 

"She  has  slipped  her  cable,"  said  Admiral  Garcia  to 
Admiral  Skerrer.     **Now  watch." 

Hardly  had  the  words  been  spoken  than  a  blinding 
flash  cam^e  out  of  the  night  from  port.  It  resembled 
sheet  lightning  but  sprang  from  the  water  instead  of 
from  the  sky,  and  for  a  second  the  glare  showed  in 
silhouette  all  the  ships  in  the  bay  and  the  buildings 
that  graced  La  Punta.  Darkness,  seemxingly  more 
intense,  followed,  closing  in  upon  everything  save  the 
Shamrock  which  was  still  centered  in  the  fiery  circle 
thrown  by  the  Oroya's  searchlight,  and  when  those 
who  had  been  startled  by  the  flash  from  a  mile  away 
turned  again  to  look  at  the  British  battleship,  they 
noticed  that  she  staggered,  as  if  struck  a  powerful 
blow :  and  that  instant  there  came  to  their  ears  the 
thunderous  report  of  the  Miraflores'  great  gun,  the 
sound  following  the  flash,  and  it  rolled  on  over  Callao 


Sinking  of  the  Shamrock  119 

and  up  the  broad  road  to  Lima,  where  its  reverbera- 
tions caused  persons  to  spring  from  their  beds. 

And  then,  from  every  ship  in  the  Peruvian  navy, 
sprang  beams  of  Hght — not  gunflashes,  but  broad, 
steady  rays  like  those  from  the  Oroya — and  the  Sham- 
rock and  the  water  about  her  was  the  center  of  a 
broader  circle  of  brilliancy. 

Those  who  w^atched  this  marvelous  scene — and  by 
this  time  there  were  thousands,  both  on  ships  in  the 
harbor  and  on  the  water  front  of  Callao — saw  the 
English  battleship  commence  sinking  slowly  by  the 
bow ;  and  as  the  stem  w^ent  foot  by  foot  into  the  sea 
the  stern  rose  and  the  big  blades  of  the  propeller, 
emerging  from  the  water,  began  to  revolve  faster  and 
faster  as  the  engines  raced,  and  they  threw  spray  high 
in  the  air,  like  a  geyser,  the  drops  of  which  sparkled 
in  the  artificial  light  that  was  thrown  upon  the  spot 
by  the  enemy. 

There  had  been  a  rush  on  board  the  Shamrock  for 
the  small  boats  but,  despite  the  discipline,  the  crew 
was  successful  in  launching  only  one,  which  was 
swamped  soon  after  it  touched  the  water.  Then  it 
became  evident  to  those  who  were  watching  the  thrill- 
ing scenes  through  marine  glasses  that  the  British 
commander  had  given  orders  to  abandon  ship  and 
"every  man  for  himself,"  for  some  of  the  sailors  were 
seen  running  to  the  sides  and  jumping  into  the  sea. 

Even  as  the  first  man  did  this  he  was  picked  up, 
for  at  that  moment  there  had  darted  from  the  black- 
ness into  the  circle  of  Hght  a  small  boat,  the  first  of 
the  rescuing  fleet  ordered  by  Admiral  Garcia  to  dash 


120  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

to  the  spot  after  the  Miraflores'  gun  fire.  Another 
boat  followed,  and  yet  another,  and  they  crowded 
around  by  dozens,  until  the  English  warship,  as  she 
lurched  her  deck  nearer  and  nearer  the  waters'  surface, 
was  completely  surrounded  by  launches,  cutters  and 
gigs  of  the  Peruvian  navy,  the  crews  for  the  nonce 
having  no  object  but  to  save  life. 

As  the  Englishmen  saw  that  rescue  was  assured, 
those  who  had  hesitated  to  leave  the  ship  waited  no 
longer.  Sailors  sprang  from  the  gun  deck,  firemen 
and  stokers  crawled  through  port  holes,  followed  by 
waiters,  pantry-men  and  cooks ;  and  the  marines,  less 
agile  than  their  brothers  of  the  service,  let  themselves 
down  to  the  water  by  ropes  they  lowered  over  the  side. 

Within  three  minutes  the  battleship  was  deserted 
except  by  five  men,  evidently  of^cers,  who  stood  on 
the  bridge — and  it  was  time  they  were  leaving,  for  the 
Shamrock's  bowsprit  was  within  a  few  feet  of  the  sea 
and  her  deck  was  inclined  at  such  an  angle  that  it 
would  have  been  difficult  for  one  to  have  climbed  to  the 
stern  had  he  wished ;  and  it  was  evident  the  great 
warship  was  about  to  take  a  final  plunge. 

'Thank  God  they  are  nearly  all  off!"  exclaimed 
Admiral  Garcia.  "But  I  wonder  why  those  ofBcers 
are  lingering  on  the  bridge?" 

He  looked  sharply  through  a  telescope  that  was 
m.ounted  at  the  Oroya's  side,  then  added,  "The  cap- 
tain will  not  desert  his  ship,  and  the  others  are  begging 
him  to  go  with  them." 

That  such  was  the  case  Hawkins  and  the  other 
guests  of  the  Peruvian  admiral  could  see  by  the  aid  of 


Sinking  of  the  Shamrock  121 

their  marine  glasses.  The  officers  on  the  sinking 
Shamrock  were  gesticulating  excitedly — that  is,  four 
of  them  were;  the  fifth  stood  in  the  center  of  the 
group,  his  arms  folded  over  his  breast.  Then  one  of 
the  officers,  who  had  been  urging  and  entreating, 
placed  a  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  the  person  who  re- 
sisted their  voices.  It  was  shaken  off  by  an  angry 
motion,  and  the  captain  of  the  Shamrock  evidently 
gave  a  command,  for  the  others  retreated  from  his  side 
toward  the  rail.  There  they  hesitated,  looked  back, 
and  it  was  evident  to  the  breathless  watchers  that  they 
called  out  in  more  urgent  tones  than  they  had  yet 
used.  The  reply  from  their  commander  was  a  threat 
to  shoot  them  if  they  failed  to  obey.  All  this  was  plain, 
for  in  that  great  bright  light  he  was  seen  to  draw  a 
revolver  from  his  pocket  and  level  it  at  the  men  who 
hesitated  to  abandon  ship.  Only  then  did  they,  slowly 
and  reluctantly,  throw  themselves  one  by  one  into  the 
sea.  They  did  not  dive,  as  the  sailors  had  done,  with 
intention  to  break  the  force  of  the  fall,  but  threw 
themselves  carelessly,  as  if  they  did  not  care  whether 
they  were  saved  or  not.  But  the  small  boats  were  too 
thick  around  the  sinking  battleship  for  anyone  to 
drown,  and  the  officers  were  picked  up  as  they  rose 
to  the  surface. 

"Signal  the  cutters  to  make  every  effort  to  save  the 
British  commander,"  ordered  Admiral  Garcia,  and  a 
m.oment  later  the  flashes  of  light  were  carrying  the 
message  high  in  air,  against  the  night. 

But  there  was  no  need  for  them;  the  little  boats 
gathered  even  closer  to  the  wounded,  staggering  battle- 


122  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ship ;  they  were  Hke  threshers  around  a  whale,  crowd- 
ing in  to  the  death  of  the  leviathan. 

At  this  moment  the  panorama  changed;  a  white 
cloud  rose  from  the  main  hatch  of  the  Shamrock  and 
curled  upward  between  the  masts.  The  water  had 
reached  the  fires  and  as  the  steam  rushed  up  its  hissing 
could  be  heard  by  those  gathered  on  the  Oroya's  deck. 
This  winding  shroud  rose  straight  to  the  top  of  the 
masts  and  there,  becoming  of  the  samic  density  as  the 
air,  spread  out  and  hung  over  the  vessel. 

So  quickly  had  all  this  happened  that  it  was  not 
five  minutes  from  the  time  the  startling  flash  had  come 
from  the  side  of  the  Miraflores  until  the  pall  of  steam 
settled  down  over  the  doomed  British  battle-ship  and 
it  was  evident  to  those  who  watched  that  another  sixty 
seconds  would  see  the  end  of  this  great  tragedy,  the 
first  in  Peru's  struggle  to  wrest  back  from  the  modern 
world  the  position  she  once  held. 

The  picture  was  one  that  remained  the  most  pro- 
nounced in  the  minds  of  all  who  witnessed  it ; 
for  although  many  were  to  be  present  at  more  exciting 
events,  and  perhaps  some  that  could  be  termed  more 
tragic,  these  later  scenes  were  rendered  less  awesome 
by  gun-fire  and  carnage ;  that  which  was  being  enacted 
this  night  was  done  without  noise,  save  the  faint  hiss- 
ing of  steam,  and  the  quiet  heightened  the  solemnity. 

The  frame  was  the  night,  black  and  overcast,  not  a 
star  showing.  From  the  edge  of  this  frame  radiated 
twelve  broad  beams  of  light  that  sprang  to  a  common 
center  and  none  could  see  the  ships  from  whence  these 
rays  came,  for  reflectors  were  arranged  so  as  to  throw 


Sinking  of  the  Shamrock  123 

all  the  background  into  shadow.  Thus  it  was  that  the 
only  ship  within  that  picture  that  had  night  for  a 
frame  was  the  staggering,  sinking  ironclad  that  formed 
a  target  for  these  rays.  Half  in  and  half  without  this 
circle  of  light  were  the  small  boats,  crowded  to  the 
gunwales  by  the  persons  who  had  been  rescued  from 
the  sea.  The  rowers  rested  on  their  oars,  ready,  at  a 
word  of  command,  to  send  the  little  craft  spinning  for- 
ward to  save  the  one  man  who  remained  on  the  ship, 
or  to  go  with  equal  speed  away  from  the  spot  when 
the  final  plunge  should  be  taken  by  the  great  mass 
of  iron,  a  plunge  that  would  cause  a  whirlpool  fierce 
enough  to  seize  and  engulf  them  all. 

The  steam  that  poured  from  the  hatch  of  the  Sham- 
rock now  spread  out  into  a  gray-white  cloud,  shaped 
like  a  bush  and  enveloped  everything  on  the  deck, 
causing  the  ventilators,  the  skyhghts  and  the  binnacles 
to  assume  grotesque  shapes,  as  things  do  in  a  fog 
that  waves  to  and  fro  before  a  light  w4nd.  And 
although  the  soft  breeze,  that  moved  lazily  over  Callao 
Bay  this  night,  was  enough  to  cause  this  steam  to 
swing  to  and  fro,  as  it  mounted  from  the  ship's  bovv^els, 
it  was  not  of  sufficient  force  to  drive  it  to  leew^ard,  and 
so  only  at  intervals  could  be  seen  the  solitary  figure 
that  remained  on  the  bridge  of  the  Shamrock,  that  of 
her  commander.  He  stood  as  his  officers  had  left  him, 
with  arms  folded.  Those  who  watched  him  noticed 
that  he  did  not  look  about  in  an  effort  to  see  the 
enemy,  nor  even  at  the  small  boats  gathered  under  the 
side ;  he  looked  steadily  within  board,  at  his  own  ship 
that  had  received  her  death  blow. 


124  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

These  ten  thousand  tons  of  steel  and  iron  had  been 
slowly  sinking  by  the  bow.  The  deck  was  on  a  level 
with  the  water  line  when  the  fore  foot  rose  suddenly, 
as  if  spurning  the  water  that  sought  possession,  and 
then,  after  this  one  titanic  struggle,  the  end  came.  The 
sea  opened;  it  parted  about  the  Shamrock  and  she 
sank  into  space,  not  slowly,  but  of  a  sudden,  and  the 
water  came  together  again  over  her  masts.  As  the 
waves  met  they  formed  in  a  vortex,  w^hirling,  swirling 
and  foaming. 

The  small  boats  had  darted  from  the  spot  just  in 
time,  and  the  rowers  could  be  seen  straining  at  their 
oars,  for  the  whirlpool  formed  by  the  disappearing 
battle-ship  drew  them  toward  its  center  with  a  force 
not  easy  to  combat. 

And  so,  in  this  picture  framed  by  night,  there  ap- 
peared in  the  center  of  brilliancy  not  a  modern  battle- 
ship with  great  guns  frowning  from  turrets  and 
sponsons,  with  funnels  breathing  tokens  of  the  power 
concealed  in  the  hull — a  thing  of  strength,  peopled 
with  as  many  persons  as  many  a  village  has — but  a 
seething  mass  of  water  and  pieces  of  wreckage  that 
came  to  the  surface,  shooting  from  below,  thrusting 
their  torn  sides  out  from  the  foam,  then  falling  back,  to 
be  whirled  around  and  around. 

But  no  human  body  came  up  from  the  depths. 

Great  air  bubbles  could  be  seen  forming,  then  small 
geysers,  showing  that  steam  had  been  released  from 
below;  more  wreckage  came,  probably  following  the 
submarine  explosion  of  a  boiler.  And  then  gradually 
the  water  became  calmer  and  the  small  boats  were 


.    .    "SLOWLY   THE    ENGLISH     BATTLESHIP    SANK.    .    . 
THE    CENTER  OF  A  BROAD    CIRCLE    OF    BRILLIANCY, 


Sinking  of  the  Shamrock  125 

rowed  slowly  back  and  forth  over  the  spot  where  the 
Shamrock  had  been. 

But  still  no  body  came  to  the  surface.  The  British 
captain  remained  with  his  ship. 

The  small  boats  patroled  the  spot  for  half  an  hour, 
then  the  Oroya  signaled  the  return  and  when  the  gigs, 
cutters  and  launches  left  the  center  of  light  the  picture 
was  suddenly  blotted  out  and  Callao  Bay  was  black, 
save  for  the  twinkling  masthead  lights  that  told  where 
ships  rode  at  anchor. 


CHAPTER  XL 
THE   DEPARTURE. 

The  signal,  "weigh  anchor,"  was  hoisted  on  the 
Oroya  and  the  rattle  of  cables  came  from  over  the  bay 
as  the  chains  were  brought  swiftly  inboard.  A  few 
minutes  later  anchors  showed  at  the  surface  near  the 
bows  of  nine  of  the  large  ships  of  the  Peruvian  navy 
and  of  the  six  little  torpedo-boats.  Then  flags  hoisted 
on  the  Oroya's  signal  halyards  sent  this  message,  "Fol- 
low the  flagship.  Close  sailing  order.  Column  of 
divisions." 

Immediately  all  the  ships  except  the  Miraflores  got 
under  way  and  glided  over  the  peaceful,  sunlit  waters 
of  Callao  harbor,  parallel  with  La  Punta,  toward  the 
point  abreast  San  Lorenzo  where  they  had  been 
sighted  two  days  before. 

It  was  a  morning  when  nature  was  lavish  with  deep 
indigo,  painting  both  sea  and  sky  that  color,  so  that 
the  picture  was  indigo  and  brown,  the  latter  being  the 
sandy  stretch  of  coast.  Between  the  two  was  a  line  of 
white  foam  where  the  breakers  rushed  high.  A  brisk 
breeze  came  from  the  south  and  the  flags  on  the  war- 
ships stood  out  straight,  even  the  long  pennants  that 
had  been  unfurled  from  the  main-trucks. 

Once  under  way  another  signal  was  hoisted  on  the 
Oroya.  It  called  for  thirty-five  knots  speed — over 
forty  miles  an  hour,  landsman's  measurement — and 

126 


The  Departure  127 

then  the  thousands,  who  had  again  assembled  on  the 
beach,  witnessed  a  sight  that  had  never  been  viewed 
in  Peru  or  elsewhere. 

Maintaining  the  same  relative  position,  not  a  ship 
forging  ahead  of  another  even  a  yard,  nor  falling  back, 
the  entire  squadron  moved  majestically  at  the  speed  of 
an  express  train  toward  the  horizon  line.  The  little 
torpedo-boats  seemed  buried  as  they  threw  crests  of 
water  high  over  their  hulls.  Spray  was  dashed  from 
the  sides  of  the  battle-ships  and  the  cruisers,  forming 
rainbows  as  it  fell,  and  waves  that  rose  almost  to  the 
deck  level,  swept  past  them  to  port  and  to  starboard. 

Grand  as  was  the  panorama  when  the  fleet  glided 
away  from  the  city,  it  became  grander  when  the  squad- 
ron swung  to  port  after  the  island  of  San  Lorenzo 
was  cleared  and  shaped  a  course  to  the  south,  toward 
Chile.  The  arc  described  in  rounding  on  this  new 
course  was  of  so  small  a  circle  that  one  ship  was 
turning  all  the  time,  and  within  five  minues  the  fifteen 
vessels  were  steaming  at  right  angles  to  the  course 
they  had  taken  from  the  harbor.  In  the  van  was  the 
Oroya,  the  admiral's  pennant  flying,  and  an  ensign  at 
the  gaff,  the  ends  of  which  would  have  touched  the 
water  had  the  breeze  not  been  so  stiff.  Following  were 
the  Payta  and  the  Chorillos,  keeping  perfect  line.  Two 
cables'  length  astern  were  the  Pisco  and  the  cruiser 
Matucana  and  then  came  the  four  other  cruisers.  Be- 
tween them  all  were  the  torpedo-boats,  nesthng  close, 
as  tugs  do  alongside  the  big  liners. 

The  hosts  gathered  on  the  beach  had  no  more  than 
time  to  exclaim  at  the  wonder  of  the  spectacle  than 


128  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  panorama  was  changed  and  nothing  but  the  blue 
ocean  could  be  seen  to  the  north  and  east  of  San 
Lorenzo,  for  the  fleet  had  disappeared  behind  the 
island,  to  be  seen  no  more  by  the  inhabitants  of  Callao 
and  Lima  until  the  vow  made  years  before  should  be 
fulfilled. 

And  then  not  only  all  Callao  and  all  Lima,  but 
many  who  had  journeyed  from  Payta,  from  Pisco, 
from  Chorillos  and  from  other  Peruvian  cities,  went 
back  to  their  homes,  to  talk  of  what  had  happened 
and  say  to  one  another,  "Is  not  this  all  a  dream?" 
But  no,  for  there,  out  in  Callao  Bay,  rolling  gracefully 
at  anchor,  was  one  of  those  wonderful  ships,  the  Mira- 
flores,  left  to  guard  the  port. 

This  occurred  on  the  8th  of  June,  the  second  day 
after  the  appearance  of  the  fleet  and  the  declaration 
made  to  the  people  by  the  brothers  Garcia  y  Garcia. 
Matters  of  moment  had  happened  in  the  interim,  but 
as  they  were  afifairs  of  state,  and  did  not  directly 
afTect  the  progress  of  events,  and,  moreover,  as  they 
might  prove  uninteresting  to  the  reader,  who  is  doubt- 
less anxious  to  arrive  at  the  main  points  of  this  history, 
they  will  be  briefly  told,  in  order  that  we  may  bear 
down  upon  the  squadron  before  the  southern  part  of 
the  Peruvian  coast  is  passed. 

The  night  of  June  6,  after  the  searchhght  had  been 
turned  from  the  spot  where  the  Shamrock  had  gone 
down  and  darkness  had  fallen  over  the  v/ater.  Admiral 
Garcia  turned  to  his  American  guests  and  said :  'The 
Britisher  was  a  brave  man.  It  showed  rare  courage 
to  face  such  a  death;  no  clash  of  arms  to  stimulate, 


The  Departure  129 

only  a  slow  sinking  into  a  grave  from  which  the 
slightest  motion  would  have  saved  him." 

**He  died  a  sailor's  death,"  was  Admiral  Skerrer's 
comment. 

By  this  time  the  small  boats  had  commenced  to 
return  to  the  ships,  and  as  the  rescued  Englishmen 
reached  the  decks  they  were  sent  below  with  the  Peru- 
vians, who  were  told  to  furnish  them  with  clothing 
and  relieve  them  of  their  wet  garments. 

An  officer  stepped  from  the  second  boat  to  reach 
the  Oroya  and  walked  quickly  to  the  bridge,  water 
dripping  from  his  clothing.  Approaching  Admiral 
Garcia,  he  exclaimed  haughtily :  "Sir,  I  am,  or  rather 
was,  the  executive  officer  of  the  Shamrock.  As  our 
captain  has  gone  down  with  his  ship  and  as  he  pre- 
vented my  going  with  him,  it  happens  that  I  am  rank- 
ing officer  of  those  who  are  left.  I  therefore  ofifer  you 
a  surrender,  for  I  cannot  well  do  anything  else,  and 
I  request  that  we  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war." 

"Keep  your  sword,  sir,"  repHed  Admiral  Garcia. 
"War  has  not  been  declared,  although  Great  Britain 
will  now  probably  take  that  step.  What  we  wished  to 
prevent  has  been  accomplished  and  you  and  your  men 
may  consider  yourselves  our  guests  until  to-morrow, 
when  you  may  go  elsewhere.  As  you  must  be  chilled, 
sir,  Mr.  Cordero  will  conduct  you  and  other  officers 
of  the  Shamrock  to  the  ward  room,  where  you  will  be 
furnished  dry  clothing  and  whatever  else  you  may 
require." 

The  British  lieutenant-commander  saluted  and  left 
the  bridge,  accompanied    by    Admiral    Garcia's  flag 


130  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

officer.  He  had  been  gone  but  a  few  minutes  when  the 
American  admiral  asked  that  his  barge  be  called  along- 
side, and  shaking  hands  with  Admiral  Louis,  he  wished 
him  good-night. 

An  hour  later  Carey  Hawkins  and  the  old  friend  of 
his  boyhood  days  stood  alone  on  the  bridge.  A  heavy 
fog  had  settled  over  the  bay,  obscuring  the  shore 
lights  and  even  the  masthead  lights  of  the  ships  that 
rode  at  anchor  near  the  Oroya. 

"Carey,"  said  the  admiral,  after  a  long  pause,  "the 
death  of  that  brave  officer  oppresses  me.  I  had  hoped 
to  sink  the  Shamrock  without  the  loss  of  a  single  life." 

"But  he  chose  to  die;  it  was  not  directly  your  do- 
ing." 

"I  know.  I  know.  And,  Carey,  that  very  trait  of 
the  Englishman  demonstrates  what  an  undertaking  is 
ours.  Obstinate,  tyrannical,  preferring  death  to  yield- 
ing even  with  honor,  the  British  sailor  and  soldier  is  a 
foe  not  to  be  treated  lightly." 

"Are  you  then  sorry  that  you  have  taken  this  step  ?" 

"No,  it  had  to  be  done  and  now  is  as  good  a  time 
as  any,  perhaps  better.  But  we  should  turn  in.  I  will 
show  you  the  state-room  I  had  in  mind  for  you  even 
when  the  Oroya  was  building,"  and  he  led  the  way 
to  the  cabin. 

The  next  morning,  by  breakfast  time,  all  Lima  was 
in  holiday  attire.  From  the  flagstaffs  on  houses  there 
floated  red,  white  and  red  ensigns,  and  those  persons 
w^ho  could  not  display  the  national  colors  in  this  man- 
ner draped  the  bunting  in  windows  or  on  balconies. 
The  streets  were  thronged,  the  crowd  being  the  densest 


The  Departure  131 

in  the  vicinity  of  the  Oroya  Railroad  station,  where,  at 
any  moment,  Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia  and  his 
staff,  as  well  as  other  officers  of  the  Peruvian  navy, 
were  due  to  arrive  from  Callao. 

A  regiment  of  infantry  marched  down  the  street 
from  the  large  plaza  and  a  company  was  left  at  each 
corner,  from  where  the  men  side-stepped  until  there 
was  a  double  row  of  soldiers  from  the  station  entrance 
to  the  capitol  building,  where  Congress  was  in  session, 
waiting  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  commander. 

At  10  o'clock  the  rumble  of  an  approaching  train 
was  heard.  It  drew  into  the  station,  stopped  and 
when  the  noise  of  the  wheels  on  the  rails  died  away 
a  roar  burst  from  the  multitude  that  had  gathered  on 
the  streets  and  surged  onto  housetops  and  balconies, 
for  they  had  seen  emerging  from  the  door  of  the  sta- 
tion, a  man  of  commanding  presence,  clad  in  a  uniform 
of  black,  ornamented  with  gold  braid  and  a  golden  sun 
upon  his  breast — a  uniform  they  had  learned  the  day 
before  was  that  of  the  new  Peruvian  navy — and  near 
him  were  a  score  of  officers  similarly  dressed.  At  this 
the  rush  of  the  populace  was  so  great,  in  their  eager- 
ness to  press  nearer  these  heroes,  to  lift  them  from 
their  feet  and  carry  them  to  the  public  plaza,  that  the 
visitors  would  have  been  swept  from  the  carriages 
that  were  in  waiting  had  it  not  been  for  a  squad  of 
sailors  who  surrounded  the  admiral's  party  and  rein- 
forced the  infantry.  A  few  minutes  later  the  equipages 
were  driven  at  a  rapid  trot  to  the  palace,  and  as 
the  last  carriage  'moved  along,  the  space  behind  was 
immediately  filled  with  people.     You  have  sat  upon 


132  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  beach  and  traced  your  finger  along  the  sand  and 
watched  the  water  follow  it  and  fill  the  space,  have  you 
not?  And  so  that  day  did  the  people  of  Lima  close 
in  behind  the  procession.  Before  the  officers  reached 
the  palace  the  plaza  was  crowded  from  side  to  side  and 
even  the  fountain  was  blotted  from  view  by  the  persons 
who  had  climbed  to  the  very  top,  in  their  efforts  to 
secure  vantage  points. 

It  had  been  the  intention  to  have  the  admiral  at  once 
appear  before  the  Congress,  but  this  the  people  would 
not  agree  to,  and  he  was  compelled  to  address  them 
from  the  large  balcony.  Even  when  he  appeared  they 
would  not  let  him  speak,  being  determined  to  first  give 
him  an  ovation,  and  when  their  overwrought  feelings 
at  last  found  vent  it  seemed  as  if  the  sound  waves  that 
rose  and  fell  over  that  great  plaza  would  never  cease, 
nor  did  they  until  the  shouters — and  they  were  every- 
body— could  shout  no  longer.  It  is  said  that  strong 
men  fainted  in  the  crowd  that  day,  to  such  height 
was  their  excitement  carried;  women  became  hyster- 
ical and  all  Lima  seemed  mad. 

At  last,  when  the  uproar  had  abated  somewhat. 
Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  raised  his  hand  and  there 
was  at  once  silence,  a  hush  so  profound  that  men 
could  hear  the  ticking  of  watches,  for  all  over  that 
city  street  car  and  carriage  traffic  was  suspended. 

Then  the  admiral  told  his  hearers  the  story  of  the 
Inca,  of  the  vow,  of  the  treasure  and  of  the  building 
of  the  navy ;  he  told  them  of  happenings  with  which 
you  and  I  are  familiar  and  of  which  they  had  heard 
only  in  brief,  by  word  of  mouth  or  from  the  columns 


The  Departure  133 

of  the  official  newspaper.  He  told  it  in  such  a  manner 
that  they  lost  sight  of  Admiral  Garcia,  commander 
of  the  navy,  and  thought  of  him  only  as  a  patriot;  they 
forgot  that  they  were  being  addressed  by  a  man  who 
was  of  their  day  and  it  seemed  as  if  an  Inca,  of  whom 
tradition  spoke,  had  appeared  before  them. 

When  the  admiral  had  finished,  the  cries  were  re- 
newed and  in  response  President  Pedro  stepped  from 
the  large  chamber  that  opened  on  the  balcony  and 
added  a  few  words  concerning  matters  of  state.  And 
as  the  brothers  stood  side  by  side  it  was  as  if  two  great 
Inca  chiefs  were  gazing  across  the  plaza  at  the  wonder- 
ful city  of  Lima. 

It  was  noon-day  before  the  President  and  the  ad- 
miral could  persuade  the  populace  to  permit  their 
retiring  from  the  balcony,  and  only  then  was  it  made 
possible  by  attention  being  attracted  by  the  band  from 
the  flag-ship  that  marched  into  view,  playing  the 
national  anthem. 

The  reception  of  the  admiral  by  the  Congress  was 
as  sincere,  if  not  as  demonstrative,  as  that  accorded 
by  the  populace.  After  a  half  hour  before  this  body  the 
officers  were  driven  to  the  executive  mansion.  There 
they  were  entertained  at  luncheon,  and  when  the 
repast  w-as  finished  Admiral  Louis  and  his  brother 
found  a  few  minutes  for  conversation  in  the  latter's 
study,  the  only  other  person  present  being  Hawkins, 
who  had  accompanied  the  party  from  the  fleet. 

"And  now,  Pedro,  what  of  the  morning?"  asked  the 
admiral,  when  they  were  seated. 

'Tt  has  been  a  busy  day,"  was  the  reply.     ''First  is 


134  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  matter  of  the  British  minister.  He  apphed  for  his 
passports." 

"Which  of  course  were  granted?" 

"Immediately." 

"And  the  Congress?" 

"The  Congress  approves  our  action  in  every  partic- 
ular. It  has  empowered  me  to  declare  war,  should 
I  deem  such  a  course  necessary,  but  I  do  not  think 
it  is,  for  war  exists  and  our  only  step,  as  I  view  the 
matter,  is  to  issue  a  proclamation  to  the  ministers 
resident  as  to  the  status  of  affairs." 

"What  about  the  transfer  of  the  treasure  and  the 
rights  to  property  in  the  Chincha  Islands  ?" 

"As  to  that,  Louis,  the  Congress  has  shown  the 
most  gratifying  appreciation.  Our  offer  to  turn  over 
everything  to  the  nation  has  been  rejected  and  a  bill 
has  been  passed  calling  for  a  special  election,  at  which 
a  constitutional  amendment  will  be  voted  upon." 

"And  the  amendment,  what  are  its  terms  ?" 

"It  provides  that  the  President  of  Peru,  the  admiral 
in  command  of  the  naval  forces  and  the  secretary  of 
state  shall  have  full  control  of  the  Chincha  Islands 
and  everything  thereon  for  a  period  of  twenty  years, 
after  which  all  shall  revert  to  the  Government  and  be 
treated  as  other  state  property." 

"By  that  time  Cuzco  will  be  rebuilt  and  will  be  a 
city  as  in  the  days  of  our  forefathers,"  said  Admiral 
Louis. 

At  this  point  in  the  conversation  the  brothers  were 
interrupted  by  a  knock  at  the  door,  followed  by  the 
announcement  that  a  delegation  waited  outside.  From 


The  Departure  135 

that  time,  during  the  afternoon,  delegation  followed 
delegation  and  there  was  no  opportunity  for  more 
privacy.  Hawkins  excused  himself  from  attending 
more  affairs  of  state,  urging  that  he  should  write  the 
account  that  he  wished  to  cable  to  the  United  States 
as  soon  as  communication  was  restored,  and  President 
Pedro  found  him  a  place  where  he  would  not  be  dis- 
turbed. 

The  rejoicing,  the  merry-making  and  the  celebrating 
continued  until  late  in  the  night,  and  it  was  ii  o'clock 
before  the  naval  party  left  for  the  seacoast.  They 
were  accompanied  by  the  President,  who  wished  to 
pass  the  hours  before  the  departure  of  the  fleet  with  his 
brother,  and  soon  after  midnight  the  three  friends 
w-ere  again  seated  in  the  cabin  of  the  Oroya. 

The  next  morning,  after  farewells  had  been  said, 
the  fleet  steamed  out  of  port,  bound  for  Valparaiso. 
Hawkins  accompanied  the  squadron  and  before  he 
sailed  he  handed  to  President  Pedro  a  bulky  package 
which  he  asked  might  be  given  to  the  cable  company  as 
soon  as  wire  traffic  was  resumed.  This  was  the  history 
to  date  of  the  wonderful  Peruvian  fleet  and  the  sinking 
of  the  British  battle-ship  Shamrock  by  the  Peruvian 
battle-ship  Miraflores. 


CHAPTER   XII. 
AT    SEA. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  June  8th  a  small  steamship 
stood  off  and  on  near  Buena  Vista. 

There  were,  perhaps,  a  score  of  houses  in  this  settle- 
ment, also  a  church  and  some  office  buildings ;  two 
piers  jutted  into  the  bay  a  distance  that  enabled  deep- 
water  vessels  to  come  alongside  for  the  loading  or 
discharge  of  cargo.  High  promontories  completely 
shut  off  the  town  from  north  and  south  and  the  topog- 
raphy was  such  that  those  familiar  with  this  history 
would  have  at  once  recognized  the  place  from  descrip- 
tion as  the  former  storehouse  of  the  Incas'  treasure, 
even  had  not  the  name  been  mentioned.  The  great 
headlands  were  almost  on  a  level  with  the  mountain 
peaks  that  here  deviated  from  the  line  maintained  by 
the  Andean  chain  and  approached  nearer  the  ocean 
than  at  any  point  on  the  coast.  A  glance  showed 
that  the  promontories  could  not  be  scaled  by  man,  and 
in  this  granite  maw  Buena  Vista  was  secure  from 
invasion  except  by  sea. 

The  little  vessel  steamed  slowly  and  was  evidently 
waiting  the  arrival  of  another  craft,  or  a  signal  from 
shore;  probably  the  former,  for  a  man  was  stationed 
at  her  foretop,  something  not  at  all  necessary  at  the 
distance  maintained  from  land^  had  communication 
from  the  village  been  looked  for.  The  officer  on  the 
136 


At  Sea  137 

bridge  had  a  telescope  poised,  and  glanced  through  it 

every  few  minutes. 

She  was  a  trim  little  craft,  having  every  appearance 
of  being  a  pleasure  boat,  for  no  gun  save  a  saluting 
piece  could  be  seen  and  her  build  was  such  as  to 
preclude  the  possibility  of  heavy  armament.  Beneath 
her  counter  one  could  read  in  white  letters  the  name  of 
the  place  near  which  she  cruised.  The  men  on  her 
decks  were  clad  in  the  uniform  peculiar  to  the  Peru- 
vian navy. 

The  commanding  officer  was  a  junior  lieutenant, 
acting  as  captain.  By  his  side  on  the  bridge  was  a 
man  of  much  higher  rank,  judging  from  the  golden 
sun  on  his  breast  and  the  broad  bands  on  his  sleeves. 
His  height  would  have  attracted  attention  anywhere, 
being  something  over  six  feet,  and  his  erect  figure 
was  cause  for  marvel,  the  lines  on  his  face  and  the 
white  of  his  hair  and  beard  bespeaking  great  age.  His 
features  were  not  those  of  the  Inca  race ;  they  at  once 
called  attention  to  his  being  of  African  descent,  but 
the  massive  forehead  and  the  clear  white  of  the  eye 
told  that  he  was  gifted  with  more  intelligence  than  the 
majority  of  those  who  come  from  the  Dark  Continent. 

'They  should  be  in  sight  within  the  half  hour,  sir," 
said  the  Heutenant,  as  two  strokes  sounded  on  the 
little  bell  amidships ;  "that  is,  provided  they  left  before 
noon  and  have  maintained  full  speed." 

"I  have  no  doubt  but  we  will  soon  sight  them,"  was 
the  reply.  "Admiral  Louis  always  carries  out  his  pro- 
gramme unless  something  unforeseen  prevents." 

"Were  you  not  loth  to  leave  the  islands,  sir?"  the 


138  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

lieutenant  said  after  a  pause,  during  which  he  swept 
the  north  horizon  with  his  glass. 

"Yes,  in  a  way,  but  old  as  I  am  I  would  like  to 
take  part  in  some  action.  But,  sir,"  he  added,  "are  we 
not  steaming  out  too  far?  The  point  of  meeting  was 
named  as  a  mile  from  town  and  at  present  I  can  barely 
make  out  the  residence  of  the  captain  of  the  port,  which 
is  the  largest  house  of  the  settlement." 

The  lieutenant  gave  a  command  to  the  quartermas- 
ter, over  went  the  wheel,  around  spun  the  Buena 
Vista  and  a  minute  later  they  were  steaming  toward 
the  shore  line. 

The  sun  at  this  hour  was  slowly  sinking  to  the  sea 
and  a  dazzling  path  gilded  the  water  between  the  boat 
and  the  segment  of  the  ocean  where  it  seemed  as 
though  the  fiery  planet  must  plunge. 

The  Buena  Vista  had  steamed  half  the  distance 
between  the  point  where  she  came  about  and  the  main- 
land when  the  lookout  called  down  from  the  foretop, 
"Smoke  on  the  port  beam,  sir !" 

The  lieutenant  brought  the  bridge  telescope  into 
range  and  the  senior  officer  leveled  his  marine  glass  in 
the  direction  indicated. 

Another  call  came  from  the  top.  This  time  is  was : 
"Steamship  ahoy,  sir !" 

Then  rapidly  these  reports  were  made : 

"More  smoke  to  port,  sir!  Battle-ship  heaving  in 
sight,  sir !  Build  of  the  Oroya,  sir !  Others  following ! 
They  are  coming  fast,  sir !" 

"Shall  we  steam  to  meet  them,  sir?"  asked  the  junior 
officer. 


At  Sea  139 

"Yes,"  was  the  reply,  and  the  Buena  Vista's  course 
was  altered  from  due  east  to  a  point  north  by  east, 
bringing  the  bright  sunlight  on  the  port  beam. 

So  rapidly  did  the  fleet  advance  from  the  north 
and  the  small  boat  steam  to  meet  the  arriving  vessels 
that  to  those  on  the  deck  of  the  yacht  the  Peruvian 
squadron  appeared  to  rise  out  of  the  water,  and  the 
effect  was  like  that  produced  by  the  lightning  photo- 
graphs of  the  present  day  that  Mr.  Edison  has  brought 
forth  to  amuse  and  instruct  the  public. 

As  three  strokes  were  sounded  on  the  bells  of  all 
the  ships,  telling  the  hour  of  half  past  five,  the  Buena 
Vista  reached  the  side  of  the  flag-ship  and  came  to, 
a  cable's  length  from  that  vessel.  A  minute  before  a 
signal  had  caused  the  screws  to  be  reversed  on  battle- 
ships, cruisers  and  torpedo-boats,  and  they  had  come 
to  a  stop,  each  within  her  own  length.  The  moment 
the  yacht  was  abreast  the  Oroya  the  salute  for  a  vice- 
admiral  rang  from  her  brass  pieces  and  even  as  the 
guns  were  sounding  the  veteran  sailor  left  the  bridge 
of  the  Buena  Vista,  entered  an  electric  barge  that 
had  been  let  down  from  the  davits,  and  was  taken 
rapidly  to  the  flag-ship.  He  was  met  at  the  rail  by 
Admiral  Louis,  who  welcomed  him  heartily,  and  con- 
ducting him  to  the  bridge,  there  presented  him  to 
Carey  Hawkins  as  Vice  Admiral  Padre. 

''How  about  the  British  ?"  queried  the  new  comer. 

"An  open  rupture,"  was  the  reply,  "with  the  result 
that  I  was  compelled  to  sink  the  Shamrock." 

"I  feared  this  would  happen,  Louis." 

"Feared!    Why?" 


140  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Because  I  would  have  been  there,  to  see  and  to 
take  part." 

"Ah,  the  wounds  received  on  the  gunboat  have  not 
yet  healed  ?" 

"No,  and  they  never  will." 

By  this  time  they  were  under  way  again,  speeding 
south  and  rapidly  leaving  astern  the  little  Buena  Vista, 
which  had  shaped  a  course  shoreward,  for  she  was 
ordered  to  return  to  port  and  coal  before  returning 
to  the  Chinchas.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were  off  the 
place  where  the  treasure  had  been  stored  for  centuries 
and  at  that  moment  the  sun,  a  great  ball  of  red,  com- 
menced to  bury  itself  in  the  sea  of  green. 

"It  is  an  evening  like  that  of  years  ago,"  said 
Admiral  Louis,  as  he  glanced  from  beach  to  horizon 
line.  "There  is  where  the  old  Inca  sat  by  the  shore," 
and  he  pointed  toward  a  spot  between  the  piers.  "I 
can  see  him  now  and  hear  his  words,  as,  with  his  dying 
breath,  he  exacted  the  final  promise  from  Pedro  and 
me.  O,  rest  in  your  golden  tomb,  our  Inca!  Could 
you  but  waken  and  view  this  spectacle  you  would 
realize  how  near  your  life's  dream  is  to  fulfillment," 
and  turning  quickly,  the  admiral  pointed  to  the  great 
ships  that  followed  even  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 

As  he  spoke  the  Oroya  passed  the  little  settlement 
and  the  promontory  that  guarded  it  to  the  south,  then 
her  course  was  slightly  altered  so  that  the  fleet  might 
stand  further  out  to  sea  for  the  night.  Within  twenty 
minutes  the  land  had  become  a  haze  in  the  distance 
and  by  this  time  darkness  was  settling  over  the  water. 

At  five  bells  the  two  senior  officers  of  the  fleet  and 


At  Sea  141 

the  newspaper  correspondent  left  the  bridge  and  en- 
tered the  forward  superstructure,  where  dinner  was 
soon  served.  As  they  took  seats  at  table,  Vice  Admiral 
Padre  asked  his  senior  what  plans  he  had  formed  for 
the  following  day.  "I  inquire,  because,  according  to 
my  calculations,  we  will  be  off  Valparaiso  to-morrow 
night,"  he  said. 

"Between  9  and  10  o'clock,"  Admiral  Louis  as- 
sented. "As  my  plans  are  somewhat  elaborate  we  will 
review  them  in  detail  this  evening.  I  have  decided  to 
divide  the  fleet  into  two  squadrons,  the  first  comprising 
the  Oroya,  Payta,  Matucana,  Mejillones  and  Arica. 
The  second  will  be  formed  by  the  Chorillos,  Pisco, 
Tambovisa  and  Chosica.  Two  torpedo-boats  will  be 
assigned  to  the  first  division  and  four  to  the  second. 
I  will  take  immediate  command  of  the  former,  which 
will  comprise  two  battle-ships,  three  cruisers  and  two 
torpedo-boats ;  you  will  command  the  second  division, 
having  two  battle-ships,  two  cruisers  and  four  torpedo- 
boat^." 

"But  to  change  the  subject,  Padre,  did  Captain  Sin- 
clair appear  disappointed  at  being  assigned  to  the 
Chinchas,  instead  of  remaining  with  the  fleet  ?" 

"He  may  not  like  the  berth  so  well,"  replied  the 
veteran,  "but  no  one  can  tell  from  his  manner  and  he 
certainly  had  nothing  to  say  concerning  his  likes  or 
dislikes  in  the  matter.  He  undoubtedly  realizes  that 
you  have  given  him  a  most  important  position  of  trust, 
and  although  he  may  not  see  active  service,  yet  there 
is  a  possibility  for  a  desperate  struggle  where  he  is 
stationed." 


142  Sweepers  of  the  Sea. 

''You  are  right,  Padre.  The  Chinchas  may  be  at- 
tacked any  day,  and  when  an  attack  is  made  a  man 
of  sound  judgment  and  one  who  is  cool-headed  will 
be  needed  to  direct  the  repulse.  That  is  why  I  selected 
Captain  Sinclair  for  comma'ndante.  He  is  the  most 
phlegmatic  commander  in  the  navy  and  I  believe  the 
best  tactician,  so  far  as  land  operations  are  concerned. 
I  thought  of  sending  Captain  Heatherton  to  the  Yard, 
but  I  noticed,  after  his  diplomatic  encounter  with  the 
Britisher,  that  he  was  a  trifle  excited  and  to  leave  a  per- 
son of  that  frame  of  mind  on  the  islands  would  be 
imwise,  the  temptation  to  advance  from  the  base  of 
supplies  being  the  first  that  will  have  to  be  resisted; 
and  the  moment  such  tactics  should  be  adopted  by  our 
forces  the  chances  of  the  enemy's  success  would  be 
greatly  increased." 

He  pushed  back  his  chair  and  led  the  way  to  the 
bridge,  his  favorite  place  when  on  deck,  for  from  this 
raised  platform  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  flagship 
could  be  seen,  and  at  night  the  red  and  green  Hghts 
that  shone  from  the  vessels  of  the  following  fleet. 
Sailors  had  strung  canvas  at  the  sides  of  the  bridge 
and  in  the  lee  of  this,  seated  on  their  extension  steamer 
chairs,  the  party  from  the  cabin  were  not  annoyed  by 
the  wind  which  whistled  over  their  heads. 

One  would  have  thought  a  brisk  gale  blowing,  for 
the  wind  whistled  through  the  rigging,  carried  the 
smoke  to  leeward  in  horizontal  lines  and  tore  to  shreds 
the  steam  that  shrieked  from  the  escape  pipes;  but  a 
glance  over  the  side  showed  that  the  sea  was  only 


At  Sea  143 

ruffled  in  places,  as  though  stirred  by  an  eight-knot 
breeze. 

'That  ilhistrates  better  than  anything  the  speed  we 
are  making,"  said  Admiral  Garcia,  pointing  to  the 
funnels'  tops.  Granting  that  the  breeze  from  the 
south  is  eight  knots,  add  to  it  thirty-three,  the  rate  at 
which  we  are  now  steaming,  and  you  will  have  as  a 
total  forty-one  knots,  or  nearly  fifty  miles  an  hour  as 
the  force  with  which  the  air  strikes  the  Oroya,  or  the 
Oroya  the  air,  whichever  way  you  may  wish  to  con- 
struct the  sentence." 

"What  if  we  were  running  into  a  gale?"  Hawkins 
asked. 

''Something  would  give  way  unless  we  slowed 
down,"  replied  the  admiral. 

Chatting  thus  of  matters  maritime,  of  ships  and  the 
m.en  who  go  down  to  sea  in  them,  the  Peruvian,  the  Af- 
rican and  the  American  passed  an  hour  or  more,  while 
the  iron-clads  of  the  new  navy  rushed  on  into  the  night, 
toward  the  place  where  the  enemy  was  gathered.     . 

And  such  a  night  was  this  into  which  the  steel 
wedges  flew  with  their  armaments  and  their  armor,  to 
wreak  vengeance  in  the  name  of  a  vanquished  and 
downtrodden  people! 

Did  you  ever  sail  at  night  on  the  South  Pacific 
when  there  was  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky,  not  a  ruffle  of 
the  water,  save  here  and  there  where  the  light  breeze 
caught;  and  when  the  long,  undulating  rollers,  the 
palpitations  of  the  greatest  of  oceans,  came  in  from 
space  and  told  of  turbulence  somewhere?  Did  you 
ever,  while  in  these  waters,  lean  back  in  a  steamer 


144  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

chair  or  lie  upon  the  deck  and  watch  the  sights  above 
you,  that  moved  from  side  to  side  like  the  pictures  of  a 
panorama,  as  the  ship  rolled  majestically  to  the  force 
of  the  billows  ? 

A  long  roll  to  port  and  there  is  Sirius  just  above 
the  horizon  line — a  red  flare  that  might  be  taken  for 
a  segment  of  the  sun,  were  it  not  for  absence  of  rays. 
A  few  degrees  above,  and  brought  into  the  range  of 
your  vision  as  the  ship  recovers,  is  the  Southern  Cross, 
its  four  stars  as  bright  as  diamonds;  and  scattered 
about,  a  veil  over  the  blue  black  of  night,  the  glorious 
milky  way,  its  myriads  of  silvery  atoms  sparkling  in- 
dividually, yet  blending  into  translucent  streamers. 

And  seeing  this,  can  men  doubt  there  is  a  God? 

Even  the  sea  bears  testimony,  aside  from  its  majesty, 
for,  glance  over  the  side  of  a  rapidly  moving  craft  in 
the  South  Pacific  and  notice  how  the  waters  are  peo- 
pled !  That  bright  line  of  fire  along  the  side  tells  the 
presence  of  quadrillions  of  tiny  creatures  of  the  deep, 
that  perhaps  show  fight,  or  anger — who  knows? — at 
the  rough  thrusting  into  their  midst  of  the  great  mass 
of  steel,  and  they,  the  tiny  phosphorescent  people, 
shine  with  a  bright  red  glow  for  a  foot  or  more 
parallel  with  the  ship;  and  astern,  after  they  are 
churned  by  the  powerful  screws  and  stirred  by  the 
hull,  they  glisten  in  a  broad  path  that,  as  far  as  the 
eye  can  see,  marks  the  road  the  ship  has  taken. 

This  night,  man  added  to  the  grandeur,  for,  follow- 
ing the  Oroya  into  the  night,  were  eight  huge  black 
forms,  each  with  a  green  eye  on  one  side  and  a  red 
eye  on  the  other,  and  between  them  were  six  little 


At  Sea  145 

craft,  leaping  over  the  rollers  as  do  porpoises,  and 
throwing  over  their  bows  spray  that  turned  golden 
as  it  fell. 

Torpedo-boats,  cruisers  and  battle-ships  dashing  to- 
ward the  point  where  Sirius  glowed  and  glowered 
above  the  horizon,  as  though  a  signal  flare,  pointing 
to  the  place  where  war  was  to  be  waged ! 

Lights  were  out  on  all  ships  of  the  fleet,  except  two 
on  each,  the  red  to  starboard  and  the  green  to  port, 
carried  by  the  Peruvians  in  recognition  of  interna- 
tional law. 

Six  strokes  were  rung  on  the  sonorous  bell  that 
hung  amidships  on  the  flag-ship  and  the  sound  waves 
had  but  died  avv^ay  when  the  faint  notes  from  other 
bells  of  the  fleet  came  over  the  water. 

"It  is  late,"  said  Admiral  Garcia,  rising,  ''the  air 
is  growing  chill  and.  Padre,  you  and  I  have  much  to 
talk  over  before  we  turn  in.  Suppose  we  return  to 
the  cabin." 

They  waited  a  minute  on  the  bridge  while  the  ad- 
miral exchanged  a  few  words  with  Captain  Beausire 
and  the  three  entered  the  forward  superstructure. 
There  the  correspondent  seated  himself  at  a  desk  and 
began  Vs^ork  on  some  manuscript,  while  the  senior 
officers  of  the  fleet  unrolled  a  large  chart,  w^hich  they 
placed  on  a  center  table. 

It  was  a  chart  of  Valparaiso  harbor,  or  perhaps  it 
might  better  be  termed  a  model  on  a  plane  of  the 
Chilean  port,  for  not  only  was  the  depth  of  water  in 
the  bay  noted  at  various  points  and  the  anchorages 
marked,  but  the  detail  was  carried  out  on  the  shore 


146  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

line.  Thus  the  blocks  of  the  city  were  numbered,  the 
Government  buildings  indicated  and  the  foreign  con- 
sulates noted  by  signs.  And  so  the  fortifications  were 
marked  clearly,  and  in  foot  notes  were  told  the  number 
of  guns  in  the  coast  defense  and  the  caliber  of  each, 
also  their  degree  of  efficiency,  whether  rifled  or 
smooth  bore.  It  was  evident  that  for  some  time,  and 
until  quite  recently,  the  Peruvians  had  an  agent  at 
work  in  the  enemy's  territory.  So  recently,  indeed, 
had  this  vv^ork  been  revised  that  the  author  had  marked 
with  crosses  where  the  ships  of  the  Chilean  navy  had 
been  at  anchor  a  fortnight  before  and  the  chances 
were  that  they  had  not  moved  since.  Thus  the  spot 
where  the  famous  Almirante  Cochrane  could  be  found 
was  designated,  and  also  the  location  of  the  new 
Blanco  Encalada. 

''And  that  red,  white  and  red  mark — something  like 
our  flag — to  the  west ;  what  does  that  indicate  ?" 
Hawkins  overheard  Vice  Admiral  Padre  ask. 

"The  Huascar  rides  there,"  the  senior  officer  re- 
pHed. 

"You  have  marked  her  anchorage  especially?" 

"Yes,  I  would  rather  know  her  berth  accurately 
than  that  of  any  ship  in  the  harbor,  or  all  of  them." 

"Why;  you  do  not  intend  opening  fire  on  her,  do 
you  ?" 

"No,  sir,"  emphatically  replied  Admiral  Louis,  "but 
I  intend  cutting  her  out." 

"Before  the  engagement?" 

"Yes ;  to-morrow  night." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

THE  FIRST  PRIZE  OF  THE  WAR. 

When  the  New  York  correspondent  reached  the 
deck  the  next  morning  he  was  greeted  by  Admiral 
Garcia  with  the  exclamation,  "Buenas  dias  !  Isn't  this 
a  glorious  day  and  a  glorious  sea  for  the  sun  to  shine 
upon?" 

For  during  the  night  a  north  wind  had  sprung  up 
and  a  stiff  breeze  from  that  point  of  the  compass — 
something  seldom  experienced  in  the  latitude  of  Callao, 
but  of  more  frequent  occurrence  off  the  coast  of  Chile 
— had  brought  to  life  waves  of  dark  green,  frosting 
many  of  them  with  foam,  so  that  thousands  of  white 
caps  danced  about,  to  port,  to  starboard,  ahead  and 
astern.  The  wind  bore  down  on  the  ships  at  about  the 
speed  they  were  making,  so  that  air  currents  were 
neutralized  and  smoke  rose  straight  from  the  funnels 
of  battle-ships  and  cruisers,  and  hardly  a  breath  fanned 
the  cheeks  of  those  on  deck.  The  waves  met  the  long 
roll  of  the  Pacific  at  right  angles  and  a  choppy  sea  was 
the  result. 

"You  are  just  in  time,"  the  admiral  added  after  his 
morning  greeting.  "We  are  soon  to  have  muster  and 
general  quarters." 

"But  this  is  not  the  fir^t  Sunday  of  the  month," 
said  Hawkins,  calling  to  memory  the  naval  regulations 
with  which  he  was  familiar. 

147 


14S  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Neither  is  this  the  American  navy,"  Admiral  Louis 
replied,  laughing.  "Our  regulations  prescribe  muster 
before  going  into  action,  if  possible,  and  muster  on 
certain  feast  days.  This  happens  to  be  both  a  feast 
day  and  a  day  when  we  have  good  reason  to  expect  an 
engagement.  But  it  is  near  two  bells,  so  remain  here 
and  be  the  first  civilian  to  stand  on  this  bridge  or  the 
bridge  of  any  ship  in  the  navy  at  such  a  time." 

Turning  to  Lieutenant  Cordero,  the  admiral  said : 
"Order  quarters  and  muster  throughout  the  fleet  sir. 
Great  guns  to  be  brought  into  position,  but  sides  and 
superstructures  to  remain  as  now." 

The  lieutenant  saluted  and  turned  away.  A  minute 
later  six  flags  were  broken  beneath  the  fore  truck, 
each  flag  representing  a  word  or  a  sentence  of  the 
naval  code.  At  that  moment  bugles  rang  out  on  the 
Oroya,  the  martial  roll  of  snare  drums  sounded  and 
all  became  life  and  action  as,  like  echoes,  bugle  calls 
and  drum  rolls  answered  from  other  ships. 

Captain  Beausire  came  on  the  bridge,  the  navig^ator 
relieved  the  officer  of  the  deck,  who  reported  to  his 
gun  station ;  lieutenants,  ensigns  and  cadets  hastened 
from  wardroom  and  steerage  and  sailors  swarmed 
from  below.  All  were  in  full  dress — commissioned 
officers  in  black  and  gold,  non-commissioned  officers, 
sailors  and  marines  in  black  and  silver.  The  golden 
suns  on  the  breasts  of  Admiral  Garcia  and  Vice  Ad- 
miral Padre  told  of  their  high  rank ;  the  rank  of  other 
officers  was  denoted  by  the  width  of  braid  on  the 
sleeves  and  the  insignia  on  coat  collars. 

The  fleet  officers  stepped  to  one  side,  for  orders 


The  First  Prize  149 

concerning  the  squadron  had  been  given  and  exe- 
cuted and  Captain  Beausire  was  charged  with  carrying 
out  the  detail  on  the  Oroya. 

The  shrill  whistle  that  Hawkins  had  heard  three 
days  before  was  sounded  and  the  immense  trap  doors 
— three  to  port,  three  to  starboard  and  one  in  the  bow 
— swung  open  and  the  great  guns  commenced  to  rise 
slowly  to  the  deck  level,  where  they  were  harnessed  in 
tackle  and  training  gear  and  quickly  hauled  in  position. 
No  huge  concave  sides  were  now  above  the  deck  line 
to  dwarf  these  pieces  by  comparison ;  they  stood  alone 
and  glistened  under  the  sunlight  Hke  polished  silver. 
When  in  place  their  muzzles  projected  at  least  three 
feet  over  the  sides,  yet  between  the  breeches  there 
was  barely  room  for  squads  of  men  to  work.  Had 
they  been  hauled  back  until  the  muzzles  were  even 
with  the  sides  the  breeches  would  have  touched;  so 
two  of  the  15-inch  guns,  standing  end  to  end,  would 
cover  the  entire  space  from  port  to  starboard,  which 
was  195  feet,  proving  each  gun  to  be  97.5  feet  long. 
And  at  no  place  on  any  gun,  from  muzzle  to  breech, 
could  the  tallest  man  of  the  ship's  crew  place  his  hand 
on  the  top. 

Attention  was  soon  diverted  from  the  cannon  to  the 
men,  who  commenced  to  move,  gun  squad  after  gun 
squad,  toward  an  open  space  amidships,  where  Captain 
Beausire  had  taken  position  upon  steps  leading  to  the 
bridge.  Each  squad  was  the  size  of  a  company  of 
infantry  and  numbered  sixty  men,  ofificered  by  a  lieu- 
tenant and  two  ensigns.  Therefore  more  than  four 
hundred  sailors  gathered  near  their  captain  and  came 


150  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

to  "attention."  Then  up  marched  two  companies  of 
marines  under  a  lieutenant-colonel  and  formed  ranks 
behind  the  gun  squads.  In  the  rear  of  these  assembled 
all  the  men  who  could  be  spared  from  below,  the 
engineers  and  firemen,  the  coal  passers  and  oilers; 
the  pantrymen  and  waiters,  the  stewards  and  cooks, 
and  the  workers  in  the  surgical  and  medical  divisions 
— for  it  was  general  muster  and  everybody,  save  the 
few  kept  away  "for  good  of  the  ship"  and  those  in 
the  sick  bay,  was  compelled  to  attend.  When  the 
crew — a  thousand  men  in  all — had  formed  according 
to  regulations.  Captain  Beausire  drew  forth  the  articles 
of  war  and  read  so  every  one  could  hear  the  creed 
of  the  Peruvian  navy  and  the  punishment  for  violation 
of  its  charges.  While  he  did  so  sailors  and  marines 
stood  at  "attention."  When  he  had  finished  the  cap- 
tain's clerk  handed  him  a  list  and  the  roll  call  began. 

"Atahualpa !"  This  was  the  first  name  and  as  the 
word  rang  out  Captain  Beausire  drew  his  sword. 

"Present !    Arms  !"  ordered  the  colonel  of  marines. 

"Present!  Arms!"  commanded  the  heutenants  to 
their  gun  squads. 

Swords  flashed  from  scabbards,  sabers  were  lifted  to 
cap  visors  and  rifles  were  brought  to  the  position  pre- 
scribed by  manual. 

Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  bared  his  head,  walked 
slowly  from  the  bridge  and  took  a  position  among  the 
men.     From  there  he  answered : 

"Absent,  but  accounted  for.    He  is  with  the  heroes." 

And  thus  at  every  muster  and  roll  call  the  name  of 


The  First  Prize  151 

the  greatest  of  all  Incas  is  the  first  mentioned  and 
saluted  with  the  ceremony  due  one  of  high  station. 

The  call  continued,  the  captain  naming  the  officers 
and  the  latter,  in  turn,  going  through  the  lists  of  those 
under  their  immediate  commands.  This  done,  the 
bugles  and  drums  sounded  the  recall,  the  men  were 
dismissed  and  the  guns  sank  to  their  places  in  the 
hold. 

Hardly  had  the  deck  assumed  its  normal  appearance 
when  the  flag  lieutenant  stepped  up  to  Admiral  Garcia 
and  reported :  'The  Chosica  signals  a  strange  sail  on 
her  port  bow,  sir!" 

Those  who  were  on  the  bridge  and  heard  this  an- 
nouncement turned  around  and  saw  that  several  flags 
were  hoisted  to  the  fore  on  the  battle-ship  named. 
She  was  at  this  time  on  the  left  wing  of  the  squadron 
and  the  nearest  in-shore. 

"Order  her  to  give  chase  and  capture  the  stranger 
if  she  proves  to  be  a  Chilean,"  replied  the  admiral. 

Five  minutes  later  the  signal  for  the  fleet  to  heave-to 
was  hoisted,  and  swinging  at  will  of  wind  and  sea,  the 
ships  of  the  squadron  waited  the  result  of  the  chase 
by  the  Chosica,  which  vessel  had  steamed  due  east,  in 
order  to  head  off  the  stranger. 

''Admiral  Garcia,  would  this  not  be  an  opportune 
time  for  me  to  leave  the  Oroya  and  board  the  Choril- 
los?"  suggested  Vice  Admiral  Padre. 

'Terhaps  it  would  be  wise,"  rephed  the  senior.  'T 
had  planned  for  you  to  leave  during  the  afternoon,  but 
we  shall  probably  lose  a  half  hour  here  and  it  may  be 
well  not  to  make  another  stop." 


152  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"I  will  be  ready  within  five  minutes,"  said  the  vet- 
eran, leaving  the  bridge.  As  he  entered  the  forward 
superstructure  the  boatswain's  whistle  sounded  the  call 
for  the  admirara  barge,  which  was  at  once  hoisted  out 
and  swung  under  the  lee  side. 

All  vessels  of  the  squadron  were  at  this  time  rolling 
gracefully  as  they  lay  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  and 
the  wind,  no  longer  a  foUovv^ing  breeze,  blew  the  flags 
straight  out  from  the  halyards.  It  was  no  easy  task 
for  the  crew  of  the  little  barge  to  prevent  her  being 
caught  by  the  swinging  ladder  as  it  was  drawn  high 
from  water  and  plunged  deep  down  again  by  the 
Oroya's  motion,  but  they  were  not  delayed  long  by 
the  fleet  officer,  w'ho  appeared  on  deck  almost  imme- 
diately, accompanied  by  two  servants  who  carried  his 
luggage.  It  was  a  difficult  feat  for  a  young  man  to 
undertake — the  boarding  of  the  little  barge  while  such 
a  sea  was  running,  but  Vice  Admiral  Padre  ran  down 
the  ladder,  waited  for  the  proper  moment,  then  jumped 
into  the  stern  sheets  of  the  craft  in  waiting  with  a 
dexterity  that  surprised  Hawkins.  His  servants  had 
a  more  exciting  time  of  it,  and  one  that  must  have 
been  quite  nerve-racking  for  them,  as  both  were  soused 
to  the  waist  by  a  foaming  white  cap,  and  they  were 
hauled  into  the  space  amidships  by  sailors  just  in  time 
to  save  their  being  swept  away.  When  all  were  on 
board  the  barge  darted  from  the  side  and  danced  over 
the  waves  toward  the  Chorillos,  which  was  to  become 
the  flag-ship  of  the  second  squadron.  Ten  minutes 
later  the  launch  disappeared  to  leeward  of  the  battle- 
ship that  lay  about  half  a  mile  astern  of  the  Oroya 


The  First  Prize  153 

and  then  a  pennant  was  hoisted  to  the  fore  truck, 
announcing  that  Vice  Admiral  Padre  had  assumed 
command. 

'The  Chosica  is  returning,  sir,  and  she  signals  the 
capture  of  a  prize  !"  reported  Lieutenant  Cordero. 

Admiral  Louis  and  Captain  Beausire  took  marine 
glasses  from  shelves  on  the  bridge  and  stepping  to 
the  port  side  gazed  intently  at  the  returning  Peruvian 
cruiser  and  even  more  intently  at  the  little  craft  that 
was  following  astern. 

"Can  you  make  out  her  ensign,  captain?  Isn't  it 
red,  white  and  red?''  asked  the  admiral. 

"Yes,  sir.  There  is  a  large  Peruvian  ensign  hoisted 
over  a  smaller  flag." 

"She  must  be  a  Chilean  man-of-war,  Beausire,  for 
Captain  Biggs  would  not  have  molested  a  merchant- 
man. And  her  funnel,  captain,  is  it  not  painted  yel- 
low?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Then  she  must  be  the  Pilcomayo.  Yes,  I  am  certain 
she  is.  You  remember  the  little  cruiser,  do  you  not, 
Hawkins?  She  w^as  at  anchor  in  Callao  Bay  when 
war  was  declared  in  1878  and  was  captured  by  the 
Chilenos  soon  after  the  Huascar  fell  into  their  clutches. 
Mr.  Cordero,"  he  said  to  the  flag  officer,  "signal  the 
vice  admiral  to  send  a  crew  to  the  prize  and  order  her 
to  steam  slowly  to  the  north,  so  as  to  arrive  at  Arica 
one  week  from  to-day.  We  will  gladden  the  hearts 
of  the  good  people  at  Arica  by  the  sight  of  the  little 
Pilcomayo  about  the  time  that  Callao  and  Lima  will 


154  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

be  feasting  over  the  return  of  the  Huascar,"  the  ad- 
miral remarked  to  Hawkins. 

The  orders  were  given,  and  when  the  Pilcomayo 
crept  into  the  fleet,  barges  were  seen  moving  between 
the  cruiser  and  the  prize.  A  half  hour  later  Vice 
Admiral  Padre  signaled  "all  clear,"  and  the  flag-ship 
ordered,  "Thirty-three  knots  speed  ahead ;  two  squad- 
ron formation."  As  the  fleet  got  under  way  again  the 
red,  white  and  red  ensign  on  the  Pilcomayo  was  dipped 
in  salute  and  then  her  bow  was  turned  toward  the 
north.  At  this  time  the  vice  admiral  signaled,  "Cap- 
tain Biggs  reports  the  capture  of  seventy  prisoners  of 
war,  which  number  includes  eight  commissioned 
officers." 

The  two-squadron  formation  now  adopted  was  that 
decided  upon  by  Admiral  Garcia  the  evening  before, 
and  the  second  division,  under  the  vice  admiral,  main- 
tained a  position  to  starboard  and  somewhat  astern  of 
the  first. 

These  incidents  of  the  morning  over,  the  day  slowly 
wore  away  without  happenings  out  of  the  ordinary. 
There  were  no  preparations  necessary  for  the  impend- 
ing conflict,  everything  possible  having  been  done 
before  the  ships  left  the  Chincha  Islands.  An  expres- 
sion of  anxiety  might  have  been  observed  upon  the 
faces  of  some  of  the  younger  officers  and  seamen,  but 
the  majority  of  the  Oroya's  crew  were  veterans  of  the 
sea  and  a  man  who  has  fought  foam-crested  waves  and 
conquered  them  is  in  position  to  participate  in  a 
war  where  powder  and  shot  mingle,  without  shrinking ; 


The  First  Prize  155 

and  so  it  always  is  that  sailors  under  fire  for  the  first 
time  are  cooler  than  are  land  recruits. 

Unusual  care  was  taken  with  the  noon  observations, 
Captain  Beausire  ordering  several  officers  to  work  with 
the  navigator,  and  when  the  course  was  finally  pricked 
off  on  the  chart  it  was  announced  that  the  fleet  would 
be  in  the  latitude  of  Valparaiso  by  lo  o'clock  that 
evening. 

"I  cannot  understand  why  you  warned  the  foreign 
men-of-war  not  to  leave  Callao  bay  for  three  days," 
said  Carey  Hawkins  to  Admiral  Garcia,  as  they  stood 
watching  the  ships  late  that  afternoon.  "Nothing  that 
floats  could  have  carried  the  news  ahead  of  your  ar- 
rival." 

"1  know  that,  Carey,"  replied  the  commander-in- 
chief.  ''Our  purpose  was  to  ascertain  positively  the 
disposition  of  the  foreign  commanders,  so  there  could 
be  no  doubt  as  to  how  we  should  proceed.  They  had 
no  reason  to  believe  at  the  time  that  the  vessels  of 
this  navy  could  steam  faster  than  theirs." 

'Was  not  communication  by  wire  to  be  restored 
after  three  days  ?"  Hawkins  then  asked. 

"Yes." 

"This  is  the  third  day;  will  not  the  news  reach 
Valparaiso  this  afternoon  ?" 

"No ;  traffic  was  restored  at  noon  to-day,  but  there 
will  be  a  strict  censorship  and  nothing  except  com- 
mercial messages,  written  in  Spanish  or  English,  will 
be  allowed  over  the  wires  until  to-morrow  morning." 

"What  about  the  dispatches  I  left  with  Pedro?" 

"Don't  worry  about  them,"  assured  the    admiral. 


156  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"They  will  be  put  on  the  cable  to-night,  vSo  as  to  reach 
your  newspaper  in  time  for  publication  in  the  morning 
and  that  pubhcation  will  be  the  first  announcement  to 
the  outside  world  of  the  events  below  the  equator. 
Perhaps  the  first  intimation  to  Chile  of  what  has  hap- 
pened will  be  the  query  that  her  minister  at  Washing- 
ton or  her  consul-general  at  New  York  will  send  after 
reading  what  you  wrote  day  before  yesterday  in 
Lima." 

The  afternoon  dragged  for  both  the  commander-in- 
chief  and  the  newspaper  correspondent.  The  previous 
days  had  been  so  replete  with  events  of  a  stirring  na- 
ture and  there  was  so  much  about  to  happen  that  the 
monotony  of  inactivity  was  oppressive ;  so  the  occu- 
pants of  the  cabin  were  glad  when  the  sun  commenced 
to  sink  below  the  horizon  and  the  officers  of  the  ward- 
room shared  their  feelings. 

When  the  evening  was  advanced  Captain  Beausire 
ordered  careful  observations,  and  officers  read  the 
star  angles  through  sextants  while  others  computed 
the  logarithms  from  this  reading.  An  hour  later — it 
was  by  this  time  nearly  10  o'clock — the  stars  were 
again  called  upon  to  furnish  information  and  when 
the  results  of  calculations  were  compared.  Captain 
Beausire  announced  to  Admiral  Carcia  y  Garcia :  "Sir, 
I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  we  are  in  latitude  33-22 
and  longitude  72-2." 

"Directly  opposite  Valparaiso  and  about  thirty  miles 
distant !"  exclaimed  the  admiral.  "Mr.  Cordero,  signal 
the  fleet  to  heave-to." 

The  lights  that  carried  these  orders  over  the  waters 


The  First  Prize  157 

were  soon  flashing  from  the  tube  that  led  from  the 
wheel-house,  and  in  the  distance  repeating  lights  could 
be  seen  above  the  vice  admiral's  flag-ship. 

As  soon  as  the  Oroya  was  hove  to  and  rolling  in 
the  trough  of  the  almost  calm  sea — for  the  wind  of  the 
morning  and  early  afternoon  had  died  away — orders 
were  given  the  flag  lieutenant  to  summon  the  vice 
admiral  and  the  commanding  officers  of  all  the  vessels 
of  the  two  squadrons  to  board  the  Oroya  for  a  council 
of  war. 

Within  twenty  minutes  the  reception  room  of  Ad- 
miral Garcia's  suite  was  thronged,  three  captains  of 
battle-ships,  five  captains  of  cruisers  and  six  com- 
manders of  torpedo-boats  having  responded  to  the 
summons.  There  were  also  present  the  commander- 
in-chief,  the  vice  admiral,  Captain  Beausire  of  the 
Oroya,  Lieutenant  Cordero  and  Ensign  Romero, 
the  admiral's  secretary — nineteen  officers  in  all.  They 
were  magnificent  types  of  manhood  and  not  only  were 
the  leading  nations  of  the  modern  world  represented 
in  this  council,  but  men  were  there  the  lines  of  whose 
faces  spoke  of  ancient  history's  times.  Standing  near 
the  upright  piano,  that  gave  such  an  effect  of  a  dil- 
ettante's apartment  to  Admiral  Garcia's  cabin,  was  a 
tall,  handsome  Greek,  Captain  Demetrio,  commander 
of  the  cruiser  Matucana.  He  was  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion with  Captain  Olsen  of  the  Tambovisa,  a  Scan- 
dinavian, whose  massive  shoulders,  hair  almost  golden 
and  eyes  of  blue,  spoke  of  the  time  of  Eric  the  Bold. 
The  United  States  was  represented  by  Captain  Biggs 
of  the  Chosica;  Germany  by  Captain  Paschall  of  the 


158  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Chorillos,  and  France  by  Captain  Beausire.  With  the 
exception  of  the  commander-in-chief,  Peru  had  but 
two  representatives  present,  Captain  Rodriguez  of  the 
Payta  and  Commander  SedalHo  of  the  torpedo-boat 
Anita.  Even  the  Emerald  Isle  had  a  son  high  in 
power  in  this  new  Peruvian  navy,  Commander  Crane 
being  in  attendance  at  this  conference  by  virtue  of  his 
position  on  the  torpedo-boat  Maria.  The  gold  upon 
the  black  uniforms  of  those  in  the  cabin  shone  bril- 
liantly under  the  electric  lights  that  illuminated  the 
room.  For  a  few  minutes  the  officers  talked  with  one 
another  concerning  the  events  of  the  last  few  days, 
then  there  was  silence  as  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia 
stepped  forward. 

'"Sirs,"  said  he,  "I  have  summoned  you  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instruction,  also  to  seek  counsel  from  many 
minds  concerning  a  matter  that  I  wish  acted  upon  this 
night,  and  to  compliment  you  all  upon  the  efficient 
manner  in  which  you  have  handled  your  ships  since 
we  left  the  Chinchas." 

As  the  commander-in-chief  addressed  the  officers  of 
the  navy  the  American  newspaper  correspondent,  who 
had  been  admitted  to  this,  as  to  other  conferences,  re- 
marked that  his  friend  towered  above  all  in  the  room, 
both  mentally  and  physically ;  and  while  watching  the 
descendant  of  the  greatest  of  all  Incas  he  called  to 
mind  the  legends  that  told  of  marvelous  deeds  by  this 
once  powerful  race  and  was  convinced  they  bore  more 
truth  than  fiction. 

The  officers  had  saluted  when  the  words  of  praise 
were  uttered  and  the  admiral  continued:    ''We  will 


The  First  Prize  159 

take  the  Chileans  by  surprise  in  the  morning.  I  shall 
at  once  demand  an  unconditional  surrender,  which 
will  probably  be  refused.  As  the  resultant  battle  will 
undoubtedly  be  fought  in  the  bay  and  shells  may  fall 
in  the  town,  I  shall  give  twelve  hours'  notice  before 
opening  fire.  A  combined  Chilean  and  British  fleet 
will  in  all  probability  be  opposed  to  us,  for  long  before 
sunset  to-morrow  the  English  will  have  learned  what 
has  occurred.  There  is  but  one  large  battle-ship  in 
Valparaiso  at  present.  She  flies  the  cross  of  St.  George. 
With  her  are  two  cruisers,  one  of  the  first  class,  the 
other  of  the  second.  Our  navy  is  of  course  vastly 
superior  to  these  fleets  and  victory  should  be  quickly 
and  easily  won.  But  the  instructions  I  wish  to  impress 
upon  you,  sirs,  are :  Keep  a  careful  lookout  for  the 
enemy's  torpedoes  and  fire  low,  so  as  to  destroy  hulls 
and  spare  human  Hfe  as  much  as  possible.  In  this 
respect  imitate  Captain  Heatherton's  attack  on  the 
Shamrock. 

"And  now,  sirs,  I  seek  counsel.  Lying  in  five 
fathoms  of  water  in  Valparaiso  Bay  is  the  Huascar. 
Her  exact  anchorage  is  marked  upon  the  chart  that 
hangs  yonder  on  the  wall.  We  are  thirty  knots  from 
there.  I  would  have  this  vessel  captured  to-night  with- 
out a  spar  on  her  being  riddled  by  shot  and  with  as 
little  loss  of  life  as  possible,  so  that  she  may  be  brought 
into  our  fleet  and  steam  with  us  to-morrow  when  we 
enter  Valparaiso  Bay,  even  as  she  steamed  in  mockery 
before  Callao  years  ago,  flying  the  lone  star  flag  from 
her  gaff.    What  plans  have  you  to  suggest,  sirs?" 

After  a  moment's  silence  Captain  Paschall  said :    "A 


i6o  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

torpedo-boat  might  run  alongside,  sir,  and  put  a 
boarding  crew  on  the  Huascar.  She  will  only  have  an 
anchor  watch  and  the  little  battle-ship  would  soon  be 
in  our  possession." 

"But  there  is  a  chance  that  a  marine  might  be  on 
guard,"  rephed  the  admiral,  ''and  a  rifle  shot  w^ould 
arouse  the  bay.  The  surprise  of  the  Huascar's  disap- 
pearance and  reappearance  later  would  not  have  the 
effect  I  desire." 

"Would  it  not  do,  sir,  to  send  in  boats'  crews,  ac- 
cording to  tactics,  and  board  her  from  all  sides,  over- 
powering the  sentry  immediately?"  asked  Captain 
Biggs. 

"That  plan  is  the  best  that  I  have  been  able  to 
form,"  said  the  commander-in-chief,  "but  I  would 
there  were  a  better." 

There  was  silence  for  a  few  minutes,  then  Com- 
mander Crane  rose  and  saluted.  "Sir,"  said  he,  "my 
rank  is  not  as  high  as  that  of  others  who  are  present, 
but  if  they  have  nothing  further  to  suggest  may  I  be 
heard?" 

Admiral  Garcia  motioned  for  him  to  continue. 

"I  noticed  as  I  came  on  board,  sir,"  said  the  Irish- 
man, that  a  mist  bank  was  bearing  down  from  wind- 
ward. May  I  ask,  sir,  that  the  officer  of  the  deck  in- 
form us  as  to  the  state  of  the  weather  at  present  ?" 

The  officers  in  the  cabin  looked  at  the  young  com- 
mander of  the  Maria  in  surprise.  Admiral  Garcia 
summoned  an  orderly,  sent  word  by  him  to  the  lieu- 
tenant who  was  on  the  bridge  and  soon  received  reply 


The  First  Prize  i6i 

that  a  fog  had  crept  over  the  fleet  within  the  last  ten 
minutes  and  that  no  Hghts  were  visible. 

"I  wish  to  inquire  of  officers  who  have  cruised  in 
this  latitude  as  to  the  probable  duration  and  intensity 
of  such  fogs,"  said  Commander  Crane. 

'They  become  heavier  as  the  night  advances,"  Cap- 
tain Rodriguez  replied,  "and  are  usually  dissipated  by 
sea  breezes  soon  after  sunrise." 

''Another  question,  sir,"  continued  the  commander 
of  the  Maria.  ''How  many  officers  came  to  the  flag- 
ship to-night  in  electric  barges  ?" 

Admiral  Garcia  inquired  and  the  reply  was  that  nine 
had  used  these  swift  little  craft,  the  others  having  come 
in  their  gigs. 

"And  you  have  three  electric  barges  on  the  Oroya, 
Captain  Beausire?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Then,  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia,  if  you  could  send 
my  brother  officers  back  to  their  ships  in  gigs  and 
cutters  and  give  me  their  barges,  together  with  those 
attached  to  the  Oroya  for  five  hours  I  will  agree  to 
bring  the  Huascar  into  this  fleet  within  that  time  and 
none  in  Valparaiso  harbor  shall  be  the  wiser,  nor  shall 
anyone  on  board  the  Huascar  know^  definitely  what  has 
happened,  nor  shall  a  life  be  lost." 

"Your  plan,  sir,"  said  the  admiral,  stepping  quickly 
to  the  commander's  side. 

Concisely  and  rapidly  the  Irishman  detailed  what 
he  had  conceived  and  as  he  spoke  the  officers  came 
closer  and  eagerly  listened  to  his  words. 

"That  will  do,  sir,"  finally  said  the  commander-in- 


i62  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

chief.  ''Gentlemen,"  he  added,  addressing  the  other 
line  officers,  ''Captain  Beausire  will  provide  you  with 
the  means  of  reaching  your  ships,  as  I  shall  loan  the 
fleet's  barges  now  near  the  Oroya  to  Commander 
Crane." 

Then  to  the  officer  who  had  volunteered  he  said : 
"Your  services  are  accepted,  sir.  The  launches  you 
wish  are  subject  to  your  orders  and  you  may  select 
such  members  of  the  Oroya's  crew  as  you  wish  to 
accompany  you.  Commander  Crane,  if  you  are  suc- 
cessful you  will  find  a  captain's  commission  awaiting 
you  upon  your  return.    Sirs,  the  council  is  dismissed." 


CHAPTER    XIV. 
CUTTING  OUT  THE  HUASCAR. 

Fearing  collision  in  the  fog  the  electric  barges  and 
the  gigs  that  had  been  slowly  moving  around  the  flag- 
ship, while  waiting  the  return  of  captains  and  com- 
manders, had  drawn  close  to  the  Oroya  and  made  fast 
alongside.  So  dense  was  the  mist  that  neither  the  hulls 
of  these  small  boats,  nor  the  men  who  were  on  board 
of  them,  could  be  made  out  from  the  deck ;  only  the 
small  binnacle  lights,  far  below  the  rail,  which  re- 
sembled glow  worms  as  they  rose  and  fell,  and  swung- 
from  side  to  side. 

As  the  ofiBcers  left  the  cabin  boat  calls  were  sounded 
and  cutters  and  gigs,  ordered  to  relieve  the  electric 
barges  which  were  needed  for  the  cutting  out  expedi- 
tion, were  hoisted  away.  Crews  ran  out  on  the  booms 
and  sHpped  into  their  places ;  commands  were  given  by 
petty  officers  and  oars  were  let  fall ;  there  was  heard 
the  rhythm  of  the  strokes,  as  the  rowers  bent  to  their 
work;  there  were  warning  whistles  and  ringing  of 
bells  as  the  cutters  passed  the  barges ;  then  all  became 
quiet,  for  positions  had  been  taken — and  those  on  the 
Oroya  knew  that  the  boat  immediately  astern  of  the 
starboard  ladder  was  the  vice  admiral's  gig,  that  the 
one  next  in  line  was  intended  for  the  senior  captain  and 
that  in  turn  the  boats  would  move  up  to  the  ladder  as 
the  officers  went  over  the  side,  in  accordance  with  the 

163 


i64  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

rules  of  naval  etiquette.  As  none  of  these  boats  could 
be  discerned  through  the  fog,  so  their  occupants  could 
see  no  more  of  the  Oroya  than  a  mass  of  cold  black 
steel,  against  which  the  waves  were  thrusting  them  and 
from  which  men  in  bow  and  stern  kept  the  shells  from 
crushing  by  dexterous  use  of  boat  hooks. 

Ten  minutes  after  the  council's  adjournment  all  vis- 
iting officers  except  Commander  Crane  had  left  the 
ship,  the  commander  of  the  torpedo-boat  Madeline  be- 
ing the  last  over  the  side.  The  measured  strokes  of 
the  cutters'  oars  became  fainter  and  fainter,  as  the 
distance  from  the  flag-ship  of  the  receding  boats  was 
increased. 

"Some  of  them  will  have  difficulty  finding  their  ships 
because  of  the  thick  weather,  will  they  not?"  asked 
Hawkins. 

"A  little,  no  doubt,"  Admiral  Garcia  replied,  as  he 
stepped  from  his  desk  to  the  cabin  door.  ''But  each 
small  boat  is  provided  with  a  compass  and  the  petty 
officers  know  the  bearings  of  the  ships,  having  taken 
sights  just  before  the  fog  closed  in." 

At  that  moment  Commander  Crane  stepped  to  the 
admiral's  side,  saluted  and  said :  "With  your  permis- 
sion, sir,  we  can  leave." 

"Have  you  everything  that  is  necessary,  captain?" 

"Yes,  sir.  Captain  Beausire  has  supplied  us  with  a 
short  hawser  for  each  barge  and  with  one  that  is  suffi- 
ciently long  for  the  flotilla.  I  have  selected  an  ensign, 
two  electricians,  a  coxswain  and  two  able  seamen  for 
each  barge.    The  diver  will  go  with  me  in  the  Valeria." 

"Would  it  interfere  with  your  plans,  captain,  to  have 


Cutting  Out  the  Huascar         165 

two  passengers  in  your  barge,  providing  they  obeyed 
your  instructions  implicitly?" 

"Certainly  not,  sir ;  if  you  so  wish.  Are  they  ready 
to  leave,  sir  ?" 

"Yes,  immediately.  The  passengers  will  be  Mr. 
Hawkins  and  myself.  No,  I  am  not  going  as  an  officer 
and  shall  leave  everything  to  you.  I  will  not  tell  any- 
body that  I  am  going  and  none  need  be  the  wiser. 
Precede  me  down  the  ladder,  Captain  Crane,  as  though 
I  were  a  junior,  and  from  the  time  we  cast  off  until 
we  return  pay  me  the  same  attention  that  you  do  Mr. 
Hawkins,  and  no  more. 

"Now,  Carey,"  he  said  to  the  correspondent,  "hurry 
with  your  great  coat,  for  the  air  is  chill." 

Admiral  Garcia  selected  for  himself  a  long  military 
cape,  the  high  collar  of  which  he  turned  up,  and  in 
place  of  his  uniform  cap  he  wore  a  felt  slouch  hat.  So 
completely  was  he  disguised  by  this  apparel  that  the 
sentry  at  the  gangway  failed  to  recognize  him  and  only 
saluted  Commander  Crane,  who  led  the  way. 

The  barge  chosen  by  the  commander  of  the  expe- 
dition for  his  own  occupancy,  and  which  at  once  be- 
came the  flag-ship  of  the  flotilla  of  small  craft,  was 
the  largest  of  the  twelve,  and  was  the  one  that  had 
borne  the  newspaper  correspondent  and  the  two 
brothers  from  the  mole  to  the  Oroya  in  Callao  Bay 
the  day  the  fleet  arrived  from  the  Chinchas.  She  was 
a  roomy  launch,  was  the  Valeria,  about  thirty  feet  long 
and  wide  of  beam,  as  were  all  vessels,  large  and  small, 
of  the  Peruvian  navy.  Ten  feet  of  space  amidships 
was  occupied  by  the  storage  battery,  the  magnets  and 


i66  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

other  electric  apparatus.  So  there  were  two  compart- 
ments of  equal  size  in  bow  and  stern,  the  latter  for 
commissioned  officers  and  the  former  for  seamen  and 
the  petty  officers.  The  launch  was  steered  by  a  small 
wheel  placed  in  the  bow  and  three  longitudinal  screws 
were  the  propelling  power,  as  on  the  larger  ships  of 
the  navy. 

"What  is  the  speed  of  the  slowest  barge  in  the 
flotilla,  sir?"  Commander  Crqne  had  asked  Captain 
Beausire  just  before  he  left  the  flag-ship. 

"Twenty-five  knots,"  was  the  reply. 

Word  had  been  passed  to  the  ensigns  in  command 
of  the  barges  to  move  ahead  slowly  and  receive  in- 
structions from  Commander  Crane,  and  the  Irishman 
and  those  who  accompanied  him  had  no  sooner  taken 
their  seats  in  the  Valeria  than  a  light  gray  hull  darted 
out  of  the  black  mist  and  a  junior  officer  said : 

"Ready  for  orders,  sir." 

One  by  one  they  approached  and  then  forged  ahead, 
after  receiving  the  following  commands  : 

"Take  a  line  from  the  barge  ahead  of  you.  Keep 
within  twenty  feet  of  her  stern.  Have  your  oiler  watch 
that  every  bearing  is  working  smoothly.  If  any  part 
of  the  machinery  creaks  so  that  it  might  be  heard  ten 
feet  distant  pass  the  word  and  drop  out  of  line.  Main- 
tain a  twenty-five-knot  speed  for  about  seventy  min- 
utes. The  moment  the  boat  ahead  of  you  alters  her 
course  suddenly  and  swings  sharply  at  right  angles 
you  do  the  same,  then  come  to  a  dead  stop  and  wait 
further  orders.  After  you  heave  to,  close  up  slowly 
on  the  boat  you  have  been  following.    When  we  have 


Cutting  Out  the  Huascar         167 

been  under  way  a  half  hour  all  talk  in  the  boats  must 
cease  and  not  even  a  command  must  be  given  above 
a  whisper." 

When  the  eleventh  barge  had  disappeared  into  the 
fog  Commander  Crane's  launch  shot  ahead  and  passed 
the  boats  one  by  one,  finally  taking  up  a  position  in 
the  van.  A  line  was  passed  to  the  barge  immediately 
astern,  and  the  chain  being  complete,  away  started  this 
strange  flotilla  into  the  mist-burdened  night,  east- 
bound  for  the  harbor  of  Valparaiso. 

They  glided  like  ghosts  over  the  calm  surface  of  the 
Pacific,  the  machinery  working  noiselessly  and  not  a 
sound  came  from  the  submerged  screws,  which  cut 
cleanly  into  the  water.  There  was  a  swish  at  the  bow 
and  along  the  sides,  hke  the  swish  of  a  whip-lash 
when  thrown  through  air,  and  occasionally  spray  was 
dashed  on  board ;  but  these  were  sounds  due  to  high 
speed,  and  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  revolutions 
would  prevent  them. 

Commander  Crane  sat  in  the  stern  sheets  of  the 
large  barge.  By  his  side  was  Ensign  Romero,  who 
had  been  the  first  to  volunteer  for  the  expedition. 
Several  feet  from  these  officers,  and  near  the  low  par- 
tition that  separated  the  engine-room  from  the  after 
compartment,  Admiral  Garcia  and  the  newspaper  cor- 
respondent were  seated.  The  commander-in-chief  had 
purposely  moved  away  from  the  officer  commanding 
the  expedition  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  his  plans 
even  by  his  presence,  and  no  one  on  board  the  little 
craft,  save  two  persons,  was  aware  of  his  identity,  so 


i68  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

unostentatiously  had  he  come  on  board,  and  so  com- 
pletely did  the  cape  and  hat  alter  his  appearance. 

"Louis,"  whispered  Hawkins,  when  they  had  been 
gone  from  the  Oroya's  side  several  minutes,  "1  notice 
that  there  is  a  diver  in  the  bow  and  that  he  has  his 
armor  with  him.    What  is  he  going  to  do?" 

"Don't  you  remember  Commander  Crane's  plan, 
as  outlined  to  me  in  the  cabin  ?"  the  admiral  repHed. 

"O,  yes ;  now  I  understand.  It  is  a  clever  idea ; 
is  it  not?" 

"I  think  so ;   but  we  can  tell  better  after  a  trial." 

Then  the  two  were  again  silent,  until  Admiral  Gar- 
cia said :  "Carey,  do  you  know  why  I  was  so  anxious 
to  come  on  this  expedition?" 

"No ;  but  I  suppose  you  wished  to  personally  ob- 
serve the  manner  in  which  it  was  conducted." 

"Not  at  all.  Commander  Crane  is  a  most  efficient 
officer  and  can  do  this  work  of  cutting  out  as  ably 
as  anyone  in  the  fleet.  No,  Carey ;  the  reason  is  sen- 
timental. Some  might  ridicule  it,  few  could  under- 
stand, but  I  think  that  you  can,  for  we  were  boys 
together  in  old  Callao.  What  impelled  me  to  come 
was  a  desire  to  be  near  the  Huascar,  at  the  moment 
of  her  restoration  to  the  Peruvian  navy.  Pedro  and  I 
have  an  intensity  of  feeling  for  that  little  battleship 
which  it  would  be  difficult  to  describe.  As  boys  we 
admired  her  in  Callao  Bay,  and  we  then  looked  upon 
her  as  the  embodiment  of  power.  When  war  was 
declared  we  thought  the  Huascar  would  save  Peru. 
When  the  ship  met  defeat  the  country's  heart  was 
stabbed.    When  the  Huascar  was  paraded  in  front  of 


Cutting-  Out  the  Huascar         169 

Callao  by  the  enemy  the  image  of  what  she  had  been 
was  more  deeply  imprinted  than  ever  and  these  emo- 
tions were  shared  to  a  greater  or  less  degree  by  all 
Peruvians  at  that  time.  And  so,  w^hen  brother  and  I 
took  that  vow,  it  included  the  recapture  of  the  Huas- 
car; and  when,  in  the  mountains,  we  discussed  our 
plans,  the  first  declaration  ahvays  was  that  we  would 
bring  the  Huascar  back. 

''She  is  an  old  boat  now,  Carey.  Her  hull  is  crusted 
with  barnacles,  her  engines  are  out  of  date,  her  guns 
are  antiquated  smooth-bores  and  her  armor-plate  is 
thin,  but  she  is  the  same  glorious  Huascar  that  made 
such  a  gallant  fight  off  Punta  Angamos  for  the  honor 
of  Peru,  and  I  love  her.  Many  a  time,  Carey,  when 
I  have  been  out  on  vessels  of  this  new  navy  for  a 
practice  cruise  I  have  been  tempted  to  risk  a  dash 
into  Valparaiso  harbor,  seize  the  monitor  and  tovv^  her 
out.  Knowing  all  this,  Carey,  can  you  understand 
my  reason  for  washing  to  take  this  trip  to-night?" 

The  correspondent's  reply  was  a  pressure  on  his  old 
chum's  arm.  For  the  moment  they  were  once  more 
boys  together,  rowing  around  Callao  Bay  in  their  shells 
and  watching  the  men-of-war  roHing  at  anchor. 

Their  conversation  had  been  carried  on  in  subdued 
tones,  so  that  none  other  on  the  barge  could  hear 
what  was  being  said.  Soon  after  Admiral  Louis  had 
finished.  Commander  Crane  was  seen  to  hold  up  his 
hand  as  a  signal  for  silence.  A  glance  at  the  little 
clock  on  the  engine-room  partition  showed  that  the 
barges  had  been  gone  from  the  flag-ship  half  an  hour 
and  the  orders  of  Commander  Crane,  that  not  a  word 


170  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

must  now  be  spoken  above  a  whisper,  were  recalled. 

This  dash  into  the  night  was  cheerless,  depressing 
and  uncanny.  From  the  sternsheets  the  dim  outline 
of  the  coxswain  at  the  wheel  could  be  seen  and  ahead 
of  him  all  was  black — it  might  be  space ;  it  might  be  a 
a  wall ;  it  seemed  unfathomable.  In  the  engine-room 
a  dim  light  glowed.  The  rays  came  from  a  half-cov- 
ered lantern,  used  by  the  oiler  as  he  inspected  the 
bearings.  At  a  signal  even  this  faint  glimmer  would 
be  extinguished.  Astern  was  a  hawser  that  sagged 
to  the  sea  level  and  swayed,  proving  that  the  barge  be- 
yond was  maintaining  an  equal  speed.  This  hawser  pro- 
truded like  a  serpent  that  was  moving  away  from  the 
Valeria  on  its  belly,  and  phosphorescent  fire  darted 
around  its  far  end — the  end  where  the  head  of  such 
a  snake  would  be — showing  where  the  cut-water  of 
the  following  barge  was  plowing  into  the  sea  and 
stirring  the  myriads  of  the  deep.  But  the  glow  died 
as  it  shone,  for  the  mist  buried  it. 

The  fog  was  so  heavy  that  it  came  against  the 
faces  of  those  in  the  barges  like  fine  rain  and  sank 
into  their  clothing. 

Hawkins  found  that  his  gaze  had  become  fixed  on 
the  clock  that  was  attached  to  the  partition  a  few  feet 
from  him.  Its  dial  was  illuminated,  not  enough  to 
cause  a  reflection,  but  sufficient  to  show  the  dark 
hands  against  a  light  background.  He  watched  the 
long  pointer  move  slowly  toward  the  quarter,  and  then 
toward  the  hour  of  twelve. 

A  few  minutes  later  Commander  Crane  passed  them, 


Cutting  Out  the  Huascar         171 

and  going  into  the  bow,  took  a  position  beside  the 
coxswain. 

The  clock  hands  pointed  to  five  minutes  past  twelve. 

Admiral  Louis,  bending  close  to  Hawkins,  whis- 
pered :  ^'Do  you  hear  that  roar?" 

The  correspondent  listened,  then  said  interroga- 
tively, "Breakers?" 

"Yes,"  whispered  the  commander-in-chief.  "We  are 
nearing  shore." 

At  that  moment  the  coxswain  threw  over  the  wheel 
as  far  as  the  spokes  would  travel  and  the  bow  of  the 
barge  swung  sharply  to  port.  The  stern  hawser  be- 
came taut,  then  loose  as  the  second  barge  swung 
round.  The  machinery  was  stopped  and  in  the  mist- 
weighted  night  the  twelve  launches  rose  and  fell  on 
the  incoming  rollers,  and  the  boom  of  breakers  told 
that  they  were  near  the  scene  of  action. 

The  Valeria  dropped  the  hawser  that  had  been  made 
fast  on  board  and  swung  astern  of  the  other  boats, 
then  passed  them  at  slow  speed.  Commander  Crane, 
who  still  stood  by  the  coxswain,  said  to  the  officer  in 
charge  of  each,  as  the  Valeria  moved  by,  "Remain 
where  you  are  till  we  return,  unless  you  hear  firing  in 
the  bay ;  in  which  case,  make  speed  back  to  the  ship." 

Then  he  waved  his  hand  to  the  electrician,  and  the 
Valeria  darted  ahead  again  at  full  speed,  turning  and 
shaping  her  course  in-shore.  The  roar  of  the  breakers 
grew  louder  as  they  moved  and  the  direction  from 
which  the  sound  came  changed,  the  boom  soon  com- 
ing from  off  the  beam,  instead  of  the  starboard  bow. 
After  three  minutes  the  electrician  was  signaled  again. 


172  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

and  the  barge  slowed  down  until  she  was  creeping  over 
the  water  so  cautiously  that  not  a  bearing  nor  a  ripple 
made  a  sound. 

"Commander  Crane  is  feeling  for  the  Huascar's 
anchorage,"  whispered  Admiral  Garcia.  *The  break- 
ers we  hear  are  pounding  on  the  beach  near  Point 
Angelos,  which  is  several  miles  off  our  starboard  bow. 
Valparaiso  lies  to  the  north  of  this  point,  and  we  are 
headed  toward  the  city.  At  present  we  are  almost 
opposite  Fort  Bueras.  Near  this  fort  the  water  shoals 
to  five  and  a  half  fathoms,  and  it  is  here  the  Huascar 
was  anchored  when  our  agent  made  his  last  report. 
She  w^as  some  distance  from  the  other  vessels  of  the 
fleet,  for  she  was  having  repairs  made  and  had  to  lie 
close  in  shore. 

"There,  they  are  preparing  to  take  soundings !" 

The  Valeria's  screws  had  been  stopped  and  a  sea- 
man, leaning  over  the  side,  was  carefully  paying  out 
a  lead  line.  When  his  report  had  been  made  Com- 
mander Crane  signaled  the  electrician  and  the  launch 
crept  forward  again  into  the  fog-laden  night.  They 
were  moving  now  in  circles,  the  diameters  of  which 
grew  smaller. 

"There  is  not  much  of  this  five  and  a  half  fathom 
water,"  Admiral  Louis  whispered. 

A  sudden  gesture  by  the  commander  attracted  the 
attention  of  everyone.  Over  went  the  lever  and  the 
engines  stopped.  The  Valeria  forged  ahead  a  length 
or  so  by  her  own  momentum,  then  at  another  signal 
she  backed  as  silently  away. 

"See !    See !    Hawkins,"  whispered  Admiral  Louis, 


Cutting  Out  the  Huascar         173 

and  the  hand  he  pressed  on  the  correspondent's  arm 
trembled.    'The  Huascar!" 

There  had  risen  for  a  second  out  of  the  mist  a  huge 
form — a  massive  prow,  a  low-lying,  almost  wave- 
lapped  deck,  and  a  turret.  Hawkins  recognized  her 
by  that  one  glance — and  then  she  was  lost  to  sight. 

The  Valeria  drew  away  steadily,  swung  around  and 
when  three  cables'  length  distant,  started  at  full  speed 
back  to  the  flotilla,  her  course  being  directed  by  com- 
pass. The  tide  was  just  turning,  there  was  no  wind 
and  the  launches  had  kept  the  same  position,  so  were 
easily  found. 

Hurried  instructions  were  passed  and  the  little  fleet 
started  in-shore,  this  time  formed  as  a  narrow  letter 
V,  the  Valeria  at  the  angle,  six  launches  on  one  side 
and  five  on  the  other.  They  still  maintained  the 
distance  between  one  another  by  means  of  the  lines 
from  bow  to  stern.  While  thus  moving  a  seaman  on 
the  Valeria  placed  the  large  hawser,  that  had  been 
coiled  in  the  stern,  in  such  position  near  the  rail  that 
it  could  be  easily  paid  out.  The  diver  had  also  moved 
into  the  stern  and  was  adjusting  an  electric  light  with- 
in his  helmet. 

They  had  gone  about  half  the  distance  when  a  stroke 
on  a  bell  rang  out  and  other  bells  sounded  all  over 
the  bay,  the  notes  from  those  farthest  away  coming 
over  the  water  like  echoes. 

"Half  past  twelve!"  whispered  Admiral  Louis. 
"That  first  stroke  came  from  the  Huascar.  She  is 
nearer  the  other  ships  of  the  Chilean  fleet  than  I  sup- 


174  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

posed;  they  have  probably  changed  their  anchorage 
within  the  last  few  days." 

A  moment  later  the  signal  to  stop  was  given,  then 
the  Valeria  crept  ahead  slowly,  leaving  the  flotilla  still 
in  the  wedge  formation.  By  this  time  the  two  ends 
of  the  hawser  on  the  little  flag-ship  had  been  placed 
over  the  stern  rail.  The  middle  of  this  hawser  was 
made  fast  to  a  bitt.  Thus  the  big  rope  could  be  paid 
out  like  the  traces  of  a  horse's  harness,  on  each  side, 
and  the  middle  of  it  would  be  firmly  held  on  the 
Valeria.  The  launch  had  swung  around  and  was  creep- 
ing toward  the  Huascar  stern  first.  Commander  Crane 
had  come  aft  and  he  and  the  ensign  peered  into  the 
mist.  As  suddenly  as  before  the  iron-clad  loomed 
out  of  the  water.  This  time  the  Valeria  did  not  retreat, 
but  moved  closer  and  closer.  The  diver  was  ready, 
his  armor  on,  and  the  head-piece  screwed  in  position. 

She  was  almost  under  the  Huascar's  bows  when 
Commander  Crane  raised  his  arm  to  the  horizontal, 
a  signal  to  go  ahead,  and  the  Valeria  shot  away  from 
the  prize.  She  was  out  of  sight  again  when  the  com- 
mander stepped  to  where  the  admiral  was  seated  and 
whispered:    "I  fear  it  cannot  be  done,  sir." 

"Why  not?" 

"Because  the  diver  cannot  work.  I  expected  him 
to  cut  the  cable  below  the  water  line,  and  she  is  not 
anchored,  sir." 

"Moored?" 

"Yes,  sir:   to  a  large  iron  buoy." 

"Is  she  moored  fore  and  aft?" 

"No,  sir;   only  forward." 


Cutting-  Out  the  Huascar         175 

"Then  it  can  be  done." 

''How,  sir;    will  you  take  command?" 

*'No;  your  plan  is  too  good  to  be  interfered  with. 
All  you  need  is  a  man  to  swim  to  the  buoy  and  cut 
the  hawser,"  explained  the  admiral. 

'Then  I  shall  ask  for  a  volunteer." 

"You  already  have  one." 

"Who,  sir?" 

"I." 

"But " 

"There,  not  a  word.  Captain  Crane.  Secure  me  a 
light  line,"  and  Admiral  Louis  began  to  rapidly  divest 
himself  of  outer  garments  and  shoes.  He  was  soon  ready 
for  the  plunge,  and  his  handsome  features  were  drawn 
firmer  than  ever  in  lines  of  determination.  He  fas- 
tened the  end  of  a  line  that  was  brought  him  to  his 
wrist,  then,  securing  the  sharpest  knife  that  was  on 
board,  he  let  himself  gently  over  the  side. 

"Go  astern,  captain,  and  get  as  close  as  you  were 
before,"  he  whispered,  and  holding  the  knife  between 
his  teeth,  he  let  himself  into  the  water,  then  resting 
one  hand  on  the  gunwale  he  allowed  the  Valeria  to 
tow  him  slowly  toward  the  Huascar. 

Again  the  iron-clad's  sides  loomed  up,  again  the 
launch  was  stopped,  and  then  Hawkins  saw  the  hand 
disappear  from  the  gunwale.  They  thought  the  dense 
fog  caused  Admiral  Louis  to  be  hidden  from  view 
until  he  reached  the  buoy ;  later  they  learned  that  he 
swam  under  water  until  the  iron  float  was  reached. 
After  several  seconds  they  discerned  a  form  on  the 
buoy  and  could  see  a  powerful  arm  work  vigorously 


176  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

back  and  forth.  The  form  bent  over  the  buoy  for  a 
few  seconds  and  then  disappeared.  In  half  a  minute 
the  admiral's  hand  shot  out  of  the  water  at  the  Val- 
eria's stern.  This  was  a  signal  to  pull  on  the  line,  and 
even  before  the  commander-in-chief  had  swung  him- 
self in-board,  the  captain  and  Ensign  Romero  were 
carefully  hauling  in,  hand  over  hand,  the  light  rope, 
to  the  end  of  which  Admiral  Garcia  had  fastened  the 
Huascar's  hawser.  This  process  naturally  drew  the 
Valeria  closer  to  the  iron-clad,  and  before  the  cable 
was  safely  on  board,  the  barge  was  almost  directly 
under  the  warship's  bows.  It  was  then  the  moment 
of  greatest  danger,  for  lying  where  a  stone  could  be 
dropped  from  the  deck  of  the  iron-clad  into  the  small 
boat,  they  must  make  fast  the  two  ends  of  the  hawser, 
that  lay  coiled  in  the  stern  sheets,  to  the  end  of  the 
Huascar's  cable. 

Not  a  second  was  lost,  not  a  wrong  move  made. 
Admiral  Garcia,  in  his  dripping  clothing.  Commander 
Crane,  Ensign  Romero  and  one  of  the  seamen,  worked 
at  those  bulky  strands  as  only  men  can  work  who 
have  been  years  at  sea.  They  bent  and  spHced,  wove 
pieces  of  tarred  rope  in  and  out  until  the  Huascar's 
hawser  seemed  moulded  into  that  of  the  Valeria,  and 
then  the  barge  slowly  forged  ahead,  the  sailors  paying 
out  the  double  strands  of  cable  from  her  stern  as  she 
moved. 

To  understand  the  plan  formed  by  Commander 
Crane  and  the  carrying  out  thereof  one  must  remem- 
ber that  the  barge  flotilla  was  lying  by  and  preserving 
the  double  formation.    The  Valeria  soon  lost  sight  of 


Cutting-  Out  the  Huascar  177 

the  Huascar,  although  connected  with  her  by  cable, 
and  crept  up  on  the  fleet,  then  forged  ahead,  moving 
between  the  two  rows  of  launches.  As  she  passed  them 
a  line  was  thrown  from  each  barge  and  a  section  of 
one  of  the  hawsers  was  hauled  aboard.  This  was 
passed  over  bitts  and  allowed  to  run  again.  Thus  the 
portion  of  cable  being  let  out  on  the  port  side  of  the 
Valeria  was  picked  up  on  the  starboard  sides  of  those 
launches  that  lay  to  port  of  the  passing  flag-ship; 
while  the  other  half  of  the  cable  ran  along  the  port 
sides  of  the  remaining  boats  of  the  flotilla.  When  the 
last  two  barges  had  been  passed  the  Valeria  came  to 
a  stop  at  their  head.  The  barges  were  again  forming 
an  acute  angle,  but  now  the  Valeria,  once  more  the 
apex,  was  headed  toward  the  open  sea,  instead  of  to- 
ward shore.  As  soon  as  the  large  launch  stopped  and 
the  hawsers  ceased  running  through  the  bitts  at  the 
sides  of  the  stationary  barges  these  cables  were  made 
fast,  and  then  the  signal,  "Slow  speed  ahead,"  was 
given.  As  the  hawsers  tautened  the  barges  came  to- 
^gether  at  the  sides  and  were  firmly  lashed  one  to  the 
other,  the  Valeria  being  lashed  by  the  stern  to  the 
bows  of  the  two  launches  abaft  her.  Thus  a  huge 
catamaran  was  formed  and  the  two  hawsers  that  held 
the  Huascar's  cable  passed  through  the  center. 

And  then  the  twelve  electric  barges  commenced  to 
tow  the  iron-clad  to  sea ;  and  as  the  flotilla  got  under 
way  the  ropes  creaked  for  a  few  seconds  as  they  drew 
taut. 

Two  strokes  sounded  sharp  on  a  bell  astern.  It  was 
one  o'clock.    The  note  was  so  clear  that  it  might  have 


178  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

come  from  any  barge  of  the  flotilla,  and  the  nearness 
of  it  told  how  close  the  Huascar  followed,  but  the  fog 
was  so  dense  that  the  slowly  moving  prize  could  not  be 
seen,  only  that  black  wriggling  hawser,  that  disap- 
peared into  the  mist. 

Then  from  all  over  the  bay  came  the  sweet  music 
of  other  bells,  sounding  the  hour. 

"At  half-past  one  the  Chilenos  on  the  Huascar  may 
discover  v/hat  has  befallen  them,"  whispered  Admiral 
Louis,  who  was  at  last  changing  his  wet  clothing. 

"How  so?"  inquired  Hawkins. 

"When  the  half  hour  comes  the  Huascar's  bell  will 
sound,  but  no  other  bells  will  be  heard,  and  those  on 
watch  may  notice  the  strange  silence.  But  I  am  put- 
ting my  trust  in  their  stupidity." 

"Is  there  not  danger  of  discovery  at  any  moment?" 

"I  think  not.  The  very  boldness  of  this  plan  recom- 
mended it  to  me,  and  so  far  everything  has  happened 
as  I  expected.  I  noticed  when  on  the  buoy  that  sev- 
eral of  the  Huascar's  small  boats  were  gone,  which 
proved  that  many  of  the  officers  and  a  part  of  the 
crew  were  on  shore.  In  time  of  peace  the  officer  of 
the  deck  usually  sleeps  at  night  in  the  cabin,  although 
he  is  supposed  to  be  on  duty.  The  anchor  watch  on 
Chilean  ships  is  composed  of  two  men,  a  marine  and 
a  seaman,  so  I  have  been  informed.  The  seaman, 
because  of  his  superior  knowledge,  and  because  of  his 
detestation  of  the  marine,  always  contrives  that  the 
latter  shall  be  ordered  to  sound  the  hours  on  the  bell. 
Then  the  seaman,  knowing  that  anchors  cannot  drag. 


Cutting-  Out  the  Huascar  179 

nor  buoys  break  loose  when  the  weather  is  calm,  hunts 
a  coil  of  rope  for  a  pillow  and  goes  to  sleep. 

"The  Huascar's  captain,  whose  cabin  is  the  most 
exposed  to  sounds,  is  probably  on  shore  to-night;  it 
would  be  the  exception  for  him  to  be  on  board  while 
his  ship  is  in  a  home  port,  especially  the  port  w^here 
his  family  reside.  Such  officers  as  are  on  ship  to-night 
are  asleep  in  the  w^ard-room,  and  other  members  of  the 
crew  are  in  the  steerage  and  the  forecastle.  The  night 
i?  chill  and  port-holes  are  closed.  In  all  probability 
the  only  person  awake  on  the  Huascar  is  the  marine, 
who  knows  nothing  but  his  drill  as  a  soldier,  except 
to  ring  the  bell  amidships  when  the  half  hours  are 
reached.  The  fog  holds  and  he  cannot  see  that  his 
ship  is  moving;  she  was  rolling  at  her  moorings, 
which  were  quite  exposed,  and  she  cannot  roll  much 
more  when  in  the  open.  There  will  be  no  wind  to 
attract  attention  and  the  receding  sound  of  the  break- 
ers will  be  so  gradual  as  not  to  be  noticed.  Should 
the  marine  glance  into  the  binnacle  he  might  learn 
something  from  the  compass,  but  even  then  he  would 
probably  think  the  Huascar  had  swung  with  the  tide. 
No,  Carey,  those  Chilenos  will  not  know  what  has 
happened  before  the  sun  rises." 

By  this  time  the  engines  on  the  barges  were  work- 
ing at  full  speed,  and  a  heave  of  the  log  showed  the 
flotilla  was  making  eight  knots  an  hour. 

"Better  than  I  expected,"  said  Commander  Crane. 
"We  will  be  with  the  fleet  some  time  before  dawn." 

All  watched  the  clock  closely  as  the  hands  crept 
toward  half-past  one,  and  for  several  seconds  after 


i8o  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  strokes  rang  out  amidships  on  the  Huascar  they 
held  their  breath  and  Hstened.  But  not  a  sound  came 
from  her  decks.  She  was  four  miles  from  her  moor- 
ing buoy,  four  miles  from  the  other  ships  of  the  fleet 
and  not  a  man  on  board  of  her  knew  it. 

The  newspaper  correspondent  felt  the  general  relief 
that  all  on  the  flotilla  experienced — and  with  that  relief 
came  drowsiness,  so  he  leaned  back  and  his  head  sank 
against  a  cushion. 

Some  one  tapped  him  on  the  shoulder.  "Come, 
Carey,"  a  voice  said.    "You  have  had  a  nice  nap." 

He  looked  about  him  in  surprise.  The  mist  was 
lighting  up  and  he  saw  they  were  alongside  a  big 
vessel.  Half  awake  and  half  asleep  he  followed 
Admiral  Louis  up  a  ship's  ladder. 

"Why,"  exclaimed  the  correspondent,  when  they 
reached  the  deck,  "this  is  the  Oroya !" 

"Yes." 

"And  where  is  the  Huascar?" 

"She  lies  over  there,"  the  admiral  said,  pointing  to 
port.  "We  brought  her  safely  in  and  are  allowing 
her  to  drift  until  sunrise." 

"And  no  one  on  board  knows  that  he  is  far  out 
at  sea  and  a  prisoner  ?" 

"No ;  not  one." 

"Well "     But  whatever  the  correspondent  was 

about  to  say  was  cut  short  by  the  commander-in-chief, 
who  drew  from  his  pocket  a  parchment,  and  stepping 
to  the  officer  who  had  conceived  and  carried  out  this 
brilliant  maneuver,  he  said  : 


Cutting  Out  the  Huascar         i8i 

"Commander  Crane,  here  is  your  commission  as 
captain.  To-day,  during  the  preliminary  negotiations 
in  Valparaiso  harbor  I  shall  make  the  Huascar  my 
flag-ship.  Those  who  come  to  treat  with  me  shall  do 
so  on  her  deck.  And  during  to-day,  Captain  Crane, 
you  will  command  the  Huascar." 


CHAPTER  XV. 
A   SURPRISE. 

A  wind  which  blew  away  the  fog  arrived  with  the 
dawn.  At  first  came  a  breath  from  the  south,  then 
pufif  followed  puff,  until  steady  air  currents  were  play- 
ing about  the  hulls  and  masts  of  the  vessels  that  had 
drifted  at  will  during  the  night. 

The  wind  first  cut  the  fog  into  fantastic  shapes  and 
drove  segments  of  it  to  leeward,  away  from  other 
vapory  billows  that  lingered,  suspended  above  water. 
Then  in  places  could  be  seen  clear  patches  of  dark 
green,  with  banks  of  clouds  on  the  sides :  the  prow 
of  a  warship  would  protrude  from  a  bank,  and  perhaps 
a  mast ;  and  they  seemed  phantom  sections  of  a  ves- 
sel, separate  from  a  hull  and  standing  alone. 

Of  a  sudden  it  had  all  lifted,  or  was  swept  away,  and 
none  noticed  where  the  fog  went,  for  the  sun's  rays 
came  across  the  water  from  the  coast  line,  causing 
the  brass  works  on  the  ships  to  shine  resplendent, 
and,  glinting  through  port  holes  and  cabin  windows, 
flooded  the  deck  rooms  of  the  ships  with  the  light  that 
comes  on  a  cloudless  day. 

As  the  mist  cleared,  watch  officers  throughout  the 
fleet  reported  signals  hoisted  on  the  flag-ship.  The 
reading  of  them  was  followed  by  a  maneuver  that 
brought  battleships  and  cruisers  of  the  Peruvian  navy 
on  the  circumference  of  a  circle,  the  diameter  of  which 

182 


A  Surprise  183 

was  a  mile;  and  in  the  center  was  the  Huascar.  It 
was  evident  that  the  Chileans  first  became  aware  of 
their  changed  conditions  while  this  maneuver  was  be- 
ing executed,  for  the  stirring  call  to  general  quarters, 
sounded  by  drum  and  bugle  came  over  the  water 
from  the  low-lying  iron-clad,  as  battleships  and  cruis- 
ers were  taking  new  positions. 

The  anchor  watch  on  the  Huascar  must  have 
changed  at  eight  bells,  while  the  little  iron-clad  was 
being  towed  to  sea,  but  the  newcomers  on  deck  had 
not  noticed  the  peculiar  strain  on  the  hawser :  some- 
time before  sunrise  the  cooks  must  have  gone  forward 
to  the  galleys,  and  the  early  watch  must  have  turned 
out  to  wash  down  decks ;  but  not  one  of  all  these  had 
noticed  that  their  ship  was  moving. 

Those  who  watched  the  Huascar  from  the  Oroya's 
bridge  saw  a  dozen  or  more  sailors,  who  had  stripped 
to  the  waist  for  action,  hurry  into  the  superstructure 
that  led  to  the  turret ;  others  climbed  the  shrouds  to 
the  miiiitary  top,  where  the  machine  guns  were  sta- 
tioned :  then  an  officer  ran  along  the  deck  from  the 
ward-room,  buckling  his  sword  belt  as  he  entered  the 
conning  tower.  The  hinged  bulwarks  were  let  down 
and  the  w^ater  rippled  but  a  few  inches  below  the  Huas- 
car's  side.    She  was  ready  for  action. 

'That  is  how  she  stripped  for  combat  with  the 
Blanco  Encalada  and  the  Almirante  Cochrane  of? 
Punta  Angamos  in  1879,"  said  Admiral  Garcia  in  ad- 
miration. "Look  at  her  lines,  Carey — but,  carrambo, 
what  is  this !" 

At  that  moment  a  Chilean  ensign  was  unfurled  at 


i84  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  gaff  of  the  little  iron-clad,  a  cloud  of  white  smoke 
burst  from  her  turret  and  a  great  round  shot  plunged 
into  the  water  ahead  of  the  Oroya,  richocheted  and 
struck  a  wave  half  a  mile  further  out  to  sea. 

"Why,  what  on  earth  can  those  fellows  mean? 
Surely,  they  cannot  think  of  fighting  us!" 

"Have  you  not  forgotten  something,  Louis?"  sug- 
gested Hawkins. 

"What,  pray?" 

"Look  around  you!  The  Oroya  and  all  ships  of 
the  two  squadrons  are  as  peaceable  in  appearance  as 
merchantmen.  The  Huascar  is  so  near  that  those  on 
board  can  tell  that  the  fore  and  aft  superstructures 
are  not  turrets.  You  are  not  showing  a  gun,  and  they 
have  no  idea  that  a  fleet  of  battleships  surrounds 
them." 

"I  believe  you  are  right,  Carey,"  said  the  admiral, 
and  his  tones  showed  that  he  felt  somewhat  chagrined. 
"But  they  will  certainly  see " 

The  sentence  was  interrupted  by  another  burst  of 
smoke  from  the  Huascar's  turret,  followed  by  a  crash 
forward  on  the  Oroya,  and  those  on  the  bridge  saw 
splinters  fly ;  then  an  ensign  hastened  to  where  Admiral 
Garcia  stood  and  reported :  "Round  shot  passed 
through  your  cabin,  sir !" 

"This  is  serious!"  said  the  commander-in-chief, 
grimly.  "Sound  general  quarters,  Captain  Beausire! 
Send  up  the  guns,  lower  forward  and  after  super- 
structures, but  let  the  bridge  remain !  Raise  the  pro- 
tective sides  to  the  six-foot  limit !" 

Then,  as  if  apologizing  for  taking  such  measures, 


A  Surprise  185 

he  said  to  the  correspondent:  *'It  would  be  unfortu- 
nate to  have  one  of  those  round  shot  hurt  anybody. 
But  what  have  we  now?" 

A  quartermaster  was  running  along  the  deck.  He 
spoke  excitedly  to  the  watch  officer,  who  dispatched 
messengers  in  several  directions,  and  a  moment  later 
another  call  was  sounding,  the  notes  of  the  bugle  fol- 
lowing with  but  a  few  seconds  interval  the  call  for 
general  quarters  issued  by  Captain  Beausire. 

"What,  fire!"  exclaimed  the  admiral.  "That  shot 
did  do  mJschief!" 

Smoke  could  be  seen  pouring  from  the  admiral's 
cabin,  and  for  a  few  minutes  there  was  just  a  trifle 
more  confusion  than  should  be  on  a  well  disci- 
plined warship.  But  the  drill  that  makes  machines  of 
men  soon  brought  order,  a  gun's  crew  extinguished 
the  blaze,  and  even  as  the  sailors  were  working  with 
hose  and  buckets  the  superstructure  was  lowered  and 
the  great  rapid-fire  pieces  were  brought  into  position. 

It  was  evident  that  the  Chileans  thought  they  had 
put  the  Oroya  hors  de  combat,  and  that  the  smoke 
rising  from  the  supposed  merchantman  was  proof 
thereof.  For,  while  the  flag-ship's  guns  were  being 
brought  from  below  the  iron-clad's  turret  swung 
around  and  a  burst  of  smoke  issued  to  windward. 

"Carrambo !"  exclaimed  Admiral  Garcia,  "this  is  in- 
deed aggravating ;  they  are  now  firing  at  Padre.  Mr. 
Cordero,  signal  the  vice-admural  to  prepare  for  action, 
but  not  to  fire  at  the  enemy." 

Soon  after  the  shot  at  the  Chorillos,  which  fell 
astern,  it  was  evident  that  the  commander  of  the  Huas- 


i86  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

car  noticed  the  preparations  being  made  on  the  Oro- 
ya, and  he  was  seen  stepping  from  the  conning  tower 
to  the  bridge,  that  he  might  get  a  better  sight  with 
his  telescope. 

"Mr.  Cordero,  use  the  international  code  and  signal 
the  Chileans  to  cease  firing  until  a  launch  can  board 
them."  ordered  the  admiral,  and  then  to  Hawkins  he 
added,  "We  must  put  a  stop  to  this  nonsense.  I  have 
been  taught  a  lesson  by  those  fellows.  It's  a  kind 
Providence  that  protected  the  men  and  did  not  cause 
lives  to  be  forfeited  for  my  over-confidence.  I  am 
rather  curious,  Carey,  to  know  what  damage  was  done 
by  that  fire,  and  as  I  cannot  leave  the  bridge  for  some 
time  would  you  mind  visiting  the  cabin  ?  One  of  the 
messengers  will  show  you  the  way  into  the  hold,  for 
I  believe  the  path  is  unfamiliar  to  you." 

Admiral  Garcia  then  instructed  Captain  Beausire  to 
order  out  the  first  cutter  and  asked  that  Ensign 
Romero  report  to  him  in  full  dress.  The  junior  officer 
soon  came  on  the  bridge  and  was  told  to  place  a  flag 
of  truce  in  the  bow  of  the  cutter  and  board  the  Huas- 
car.  "Explain  to  the  commander,"  said  the  admiral, 
"that  he  is  surrounded  by  two  squadrons  of  the  Peru- 
vian navy  and  that  resistance  would  be  folly." 

As  the  cutter  left  the  side  of  the  flag-ship,  twelve 
sailors  clad  in  black,  bending  to  the  oars,  a  white  flag 
in  her  bow  and  a  red,  white  and  red  ensign  in  her 
stern,  the  newspaper  correspondent  returned  from  his 
tour  of  inspection  below. 

"Well,  what  damage?"  asked  the  admiral. 

"The  shot  passed  through  the  reception  room  and 


A  Surprise  187 

the  fire  destroyed  half  of  your  library.  The  cabin  is 
a  nice  mass  of  water  and  charred  stufT." 

Admiral  Louis  said  something  that  was  not  very  in- 
telligible, although  the  tone  conveyed  a  great  deal, 
then  taking  up  a  marine  glass  he  watched  the  progress 
of  the  cutter.  The  Huascar  had  ceased  firing  and  the 
crew  of  the  little  iron-clad  had  poured  from  the  turret 
and  from  below,  to  the  sides  and  the  rigging,  from 
where  they  gazed  in  astonishment  at  the  Oroya  and 
Chorillos,  which  had  undergone  such  a  metamor- 
phosis. Ten  minutes  after  Ensign  Romero  had  board- 
ed the  monitor  he  re-entered  the  cutter,  which  put 
back  to  the  flag-ship. 

"A  Chilean  officer  accompanies  him,  sir,"  said  the 
flag-lieutenant,  who  was  watching  the  prize  through 
a  telescope. 

"Perhaps  they  wish  to  state  upon  what  terms  they 
will  surrender,"  said  the  admiral,  sarcastically. 

His  surmise  was  correct.  The  officer  proved  to  be 
a  junior  lieutenant,  who  bore  a  message  from  the  cap- 
tain of  the  Huascar,  to  the  effect  that,  in  the  face  of 
vastly  superior  force,  the  Chileans  would  surrender, 
providing  the  officers  could  retain  their  side  arms. 

"You  can  retain  nothing,  sir,"  said  Admiral  Garcia. 
"But  I  will  surprise  you  all  by  giving  you  liberty  as 
soon  as  we  reach  Valparaiso.  As  for  the  side  arms, 
we  are  collecting  a  quantity  of  such  relics  for  the 
National  Museum  at  Lima.  The  cutter  will  now  takt, 
you  back.  Tell  your  captain  that  ten  minutes  after 
your  return,  a  prize  crew  will  board  the  Huascar.  As 
you  leave  this  bridge,  sir,  look  around,  and  what  you 


i88  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

will  see  should  convince  you  that  it  would  not  be 
wise  to  disregard  what  I  have  said." 

As  the  lieutenant  left,  Admiral  Garcia  gave  orders 
that  a  crew  be  sent  to  the  prize  and  that  the  Chileans 
be  transferred  to  one  of  the  cruisers.  Before  the  cut- 
ter had  reached  the  little  iron-clad's  side,  boats  lowered 
from  the  flag-ship  were  being  filled  with  officers, 
sailors,  marines,  engineers  and  stokers — a  full  com- 
plement for  the  monitor.  Captain  Crane  being  in 
command. 

It  was  9  o'clock  before  the  transfers  had  been  made. 
By  that  time  breakfast  was  over  in  the  cabin  and 
Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia,  his  suite  and  Correspondent 
Hawkins,  entered  the  Valeria  and  were  soon  along- 
side the  Huascar.  As  the  commander-in-chief  stepped 
over  the  side  he  lifted  his  hat,  and  those  who  followed 
did  likewise.  A  large  Peruvian  ensign  was  soon  float- 
ing at  the  gafif,  above  the  lone  star  flag  of  Chile,  and 
when  Admiral  Louis  stepped  on  the  bridge  his  pen- 
nant was  broken  beneath  the  fore  truck. 

"Get  under  way,  sir,"  said  the  admiral  to  Captain 
Crane.  ''Mr.  Cordero,  signal  the  squadrons  to  follow, 
maintaining  the  same  formation  as  last  night,  and  to 
steam  at  six  knots." 

Five  minutes  later  the  fleet  had  started  for  Valpa- 
raiso, thirty  miles  distant. 

As  the  morning  advanced  the  breeze  died  away  and 
by  six  bells  there  had  fallen  a  dead  calm.  Battleships 
and  cruisers  rolled  in  a  curious,  lumbering  fashion,  for 
the  long  swells  caught  under  the  counters  and  tip-tilted 
them,  as  well  as  causinp-  them  to  lurch  to  one  side. 


A  Surprise  189 

"This  motion  is  the  most  disagreeable  of  any  that 
is  possible  at  sea,"  remarked  Captain  Crane  to  Carey 
Hawkins,  as  the  two  were  looking  back  at  the  tum- 
bling ships.  "They  would  be  all  right  if  they  could 
put  on  steam  and  run  ahead  of  the  swells,  but  this 
six-knot  speed,  necessary  so  as  not  to  out-distance 
us,  is  just  sufficient  to  keep  them  from  rolling  decently 
and  not  enough  to  permit  a  genuine  pitch.  Look  at 
the  Oroya !  Captain  Beausire  has  had  life-Hnes 
stretched,  as  though  he  were  in  a  gale." 

The  fleet  now  presented  the  same  appearance  as  it 
did  before  the  Huascar  commenced  the  annoying  gun 
fire  of  the  morning,  the  Oroya  and  the  Chorillos  hav- 
ing lowered  their  protective  sides  and  guns,  and 
hoisted  the  superstructures.  At  seven  bells — 11:30 
landsman's  time — Captain  Crane  ordered  a  quarter- 
master into  the  Huascar's  military  top  as  a  lookout, 
and  the  signal,  "Same  formation  ;  close  sailing  order," 
was  hoisted.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  when  land 
might  be  sighted  at  any  moment.  Admiral  Garcia  or- 
dered the  torpedo  boats  Rosita  and  Avita  to  detach 
themselves  from  the  fleet  and  do  scout  duty.  The 
Rosita  was  signaled  to  make  for  the  East  end  of  Val- 
paraiso bay,  opposite  Vina  del  Mar,  and  the  Avita  to 
approach  at  the  west  end.  'Tf  ships  are  leaving  the 
harbor,  report  at  once ;  if  not,  stand  by  at  those  points 
until  the  fleet  is  close  in  shore,  then  rejoin,"  were  the 
instructions. 

Away  darted  the  boats  at  full  speed,  their  wicked 
looking  black  hulls  throwing  curves  of  spray  over 
their  bows.    They  diverged  at  angles  as  they  dashed 


190  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

past  the  Huascar  and  rapidly  increased  the  distance 
between  them  and  the  flag-ship. 

At  eight  bells  the  quartermaster  stationed  in  the 
military  top  sang  out :  ''Land  off  the  starboard  bow, 
sir!"  and  then  all  knew  that  the  fleet  would  soon  be 
within  sight  of  Valparaiso;  in  fact  the  blue  haze  in 
the  horizon,  that  appears  before  the  shore  line  can  be 
distinguished,  could  be  seen  from  the  iron-clad's 
bridge. 

"Carey,  come  to  luncheon,"  said  Admiral  Louis. 
"We  have  some  time  to  pass  in  idleness  before  active 
work  begins,  and  it  may  as  well  be  passed  at  table. 
Paul  has  informed  me  that  he  brought  several  w^ell- 
filled  hampers  from  the  Oroya." 

When  in  the  cabin  the  correspondent  asked  the 
admiral  if  it  would  be  possible  for  him  to  send  away 
dispatches  after  the  impending  engagement. 

"Sooner  than  jthat,  Carey." 

"How  so?  Do  you  intend  landing  a  force  in  Val- 
paraiso?" 

"No ;  better  still,"  and  he  drew  from  his  pocket  a 
map  of  the  city  and  its  environs.  "Notice  that  thin 
black  line  traced  to  the  east  from  the  town?  It  repre- 
sents the  only  telegraph  line  leading  from  Valparaiso, 
which  carries  both  the  cable  and  the  land  wires.  At 
this  point,"  and  he  placed  his  finger  on  a  cross,  "which 
is  twenty  miles  from  the  city,  the  cable  goes  under 
water  and  the  land  wire  branches  off.  When  I  return 
to  the  bridge  I  shall  order  the  Maria  and  the  Mercedes 
to  capture  this  position  at  once.  Fifty  marines  will  be 
placed  on  board  each  and,  as  you  know,  the  torpedo 


A  Surprise  191 

boats  are  well  armed  with  machine  gnns.  There  is 
no  railroad  to  this  telegraph  junction,  and  it  will  be 
impossible  for  troops  to  reach  the  place  from  Val- 
paraiso before  we  are  ready  to  abandon  the  position. 
So,  Hawkins,  have  your  correspondence  in  shape  to 
send  by  one  of  the  junior  officers  at  two  bells,  and  it 
will  have  the  right  of  way  after  a  few  government 
dispatches." 

''Then  excuse  me,  please,"  said  the  American,  rising 
from  the  table.  "I  haven't  written  a  line  about  the 
Huascar's  attempt  to  capture  your  fleet." 

'The  less  you  say  about  that  bad  quarter  of  an  hour 
the  better  I  shall  be  pleased,"  said  Admiral  Louis, 
laughing.  "Step  into  the  adjoining  room,  if  you  wish. 
I  saw  pen  and  ink  on  a  desk.  Paul  can  take  your 
coffee  in  there." 

The  commander-in-chief  remained  a  few  minutes 
longer  at  table,  then  busied  himself  with  some  charts 
and  reference  books  that  he  had  brought  with  him 
for  the  day.  Fortunately,  these  valuable  works  wxre 
not  in  the  library  on  the  Oroya  when  the  fire  broke 
out.  He  was  about  to  readjust  his  sword  belt  when 
an  orderly  reported :  "Captain  Crane  says  the  enemy 
is  in  full  sight,  sir." 

At  a  quarter  to  one  Admiral  Garcia  returned  to  the 
bridge.  Ahead,  four  miles  distant,  could  be  seen  a 
forest  of  masts  and  groups  of  hulls.  Back  of  these  was 
the  city  of  Valparaiso,  the  old  quarter  built  on  the 
narrow  strip  of  land  that  is  but  a  few  feet  above  sea 
level,  and  the  new  quarter  on  the  foothills.  And  back 
of  the  city  were  the  spurs  of  the  Andes. 


192  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"What  do  you  make  out,  captain  ?"  asked  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

"The  Chilean  fleet  is  lying  close  in-shore,  to  the  west, 
sir;  near  the  place  where  we  cut  out  the  Huascar. 
There  are  British  ships  further  out  and  to  the  east. 
There  is  an  American  in  the  harbor  and  an  Italian." 

"The  place  is  pretty  well  crowded  with  merchant- 
men, is  it  not?'' 

"Yes,  sir.  I  have  made  out  one  hundred  and  forty- 
two  vessels,  steam  and  sail,  in  addition  to  the  war- 
ships." 

"And  how  many  do  they  number?" 

"British  and  Chilean  combined,  do  you  mean,  sir?" 

"Yes." 

"Sixteen." 

"And  we  are  sixteen,  counting  the  Huascar.     But  . 
what  a  difference !    Let  me  take  your  glass  a  minute, 
captain,  until  an  orderly  fetches  mine  from  the  cabin." 

"Yes,  that's  the  battleship  Sampson,"  he  added,  after 
a  minute's  inspection.  "She  is  the  most  powerful  ves- 
sel of  the  combined  fleet.  Lord  Harvey's  pennant  as 
rear-admiral  is  hoisted  on  her.  I  think  he  outranks 
the  Chilean  commander  and  will  direct  the  engage- 
ment. Now  I  can  plainly  make  out  the  Almirante 
Cochrane,  the  new  Blanco  Encalada  and  El  Capitan 
Pratt.  Do  you  notice.  Captain  Crane,  that  all  have 
steam  up?  Dispatches  have  evidently  been  received 
and  the  disappearance  of  the  Huascar  has  proved  that 
we  might  be  expected.  Isn't  that  a  torpedo  boat  com- 
ing toward  us  ?" 

"A  steam  launch,  I  think,  sir." 


A  Surprise  193 

"Mr.  Cordero,  signal  the  fleet  to  heave-to." 

They  were  three  and  a  half  miles  from  shore  when 
this  order  was  issued. 

"Summon  the  Maria  and  the  Mercedes  alongside, 
for  instructions,"  was  the  next  command.  As  the 
torpedo  boats  dashed  up,  two  bells  sounded. 

"On  time  to  the  moment,"  said  the  admiral  to  Carey 
Hawkins,  who  came  from  the  cabin.  "Give  your  dis- 
patches to  Mr.  Cook,  who  is  going  with  the  expe- 
dition." 

The  ensign  thus  designated  also  bore  several  tele- 
grams addressed  to  President  Pedro,  one  of  which 
read: 

''The  Huascar  is  my  Hag-ship  for  to-day.  She  was 
cut  out  during  the  night  without  the  loss  of  a  life. 
Special  honors  are  due  Crane,  whom  I  have  promoted 
one  grade.  Huascar  leaves  this  evening  for  Callao. 
Pilcomayo  captured  yesterday  and  sent  to  Arica.  Viva 
Incaland!  Louis." 

Ten  minutes  were  occupied  transferring  the  marines 
necessary  for  the  expedition  to  the  Maria  and  the 
Mercedes,  then  the  torpedo  boats  steamed  for  the  vil- 
lage, twenty  miles  up  the  coast,  which  they  were  or- 
dered to  hold  until  the  next  morning,  and  prevent  the 
sending  of  any  messages  except  those  vised  by  the 
commander-in-chief. 

By  this  time  the  launch  that  had  put  out  from  the 
harbor  was  within  hailing  distance. 

"Boat  ahoy !"  shouted  an  ensign  who  was  stationed 


194  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

on  the  Huascar's  forecastle.  "Sheer  off  there,  or  we 
will  put  a  shot  through  you!'* 

The  boat  stopped  and  an  English  officer,  standing 
up  in  the  stern  sheets,  replied :  "Aide  from  the  British 
admiral  wishes  a  conference  with  the  commander-in- 
chief." 

"Then  run  up  a  flag  of  truce !" 

"We  have  none  on  board." 

"Tie  a  white  handkerchief  to  that  stick  in  your  bow. 
You  should  know  better  than  to  approach  a  hostile 
fleet  in  that  fashion." 

"He's  an  original,  is  that  ensign,"  remarked  Admiral 
Garcia  to  Captain  Crane.  "But  it  is  evident  that  he  is 
acquainted  with  the  regulations." 

In  a  few  minutes  something  white  fluttered  in  the 
bow  of  the  launch  and  international  law  being  thus 
complied  with,  she  was  permitted  to  come  alongside 
the  Huascar.  The  English  officer  who  had  spoken 
from  the  little  craft,  and  a  Chilean  lieutenant,  were 
conducted  to  the  bridge  by  Lieutenant  Cordero,  who 
had  met  them  at  the  side.  The  expression  of  aston- 
ishment on  the  visitors'  faces  was  patent  to  everyone ; 
it  was  not  because  of  the  peculiarity  of  the  vessel  which 
they  had  boarded — the  Huascar  being  familiar  to  both 
— but  was  caused  by  the  fanciful  uniforms  worn  by 
the  Peruvians  and  the  evidence  of  seamanship  they 
saw  on  every  hand.  This  birth  of  a  new  navy  was  a 
revelation  to  them. 

"Sir,"  said  the  Englishman,  as  soon  as  he  could 
find  voice,  "I  am  aide  to  Lord  Harvey,  commander-in- 
chief   of   Her   Majesty's   naval   forces   in   the   South 


A  Surprise  195 

Pacific.  At  daybreak  Lord  Harvey  received  advices 
that  the  Peruvians  had  secured  a  navy,  had  declared 
war  on  England  and  Chile,  had  sunk  the  Shamrock 
in  Callao  bay  and  were  due  to  arrive  off  Valparaiso 
at  any  hour.  Lord  Harvey  authorizes  me  to  say  that 
since  his  first  advices  he  has  received  instructions  to 
give  battle  as  soon  as  your  fleet  appeared.  He  has 
united  his  fleet  with  that  of  the  Chileans,  and  now 
commands  the  combined  forces.  First,  he  gives  you 
the  opportunity  to  surrender." 

"He  is  very  kind ;  I  am  sure,"  replied  Admiral  Gar- 
cia. "And  what  does  your  commander  say?"  he  asked, 
turning  to  the  Chilean  officer. 

"That  if  you  return  the  Huascar  to  her  anchorage 
and  salute  the  Chilean  flag,  the  matter  will  be  allowed 
to  pass  with  the  infliction  of  a  Hght  indemnity." 

"That  also  is  kind.  And  now,  gentlemen,  you  may 
return  to  your  respective  commanders  with  this  mes- 
sage :  'Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia,  commander-in-chief 
of  the  Peruvian  navy,  is  only  too  anxious  that  any 
British  or  Chilean  ship,  or  the  combined  fleets,  should 
come  into  the  open  and  do  battle.  Were  it  not  for 
the  comity  of  nations,  which  recognizes  the  right  of 
non-combatants,  he  would  at  once  sail  into  Valparaiso 
harbor  and  sink  your  ships  as  they  lie  at  anchor.  But 
as  there  are  non-combatants,  and  as  shells  are  liable 
to  fall  in  the  city,  he  will  cause  no  shot  to  be  fired 
until  midnight,  unless  there  is  provocation.  At  that 
hour,  if  your  ships  fail  to  come  out,  the  Peruvian  fleet 
will  enter  the  harbor  and  engage  both  your  fleets  and 
the  shore  batteries.    Good  afternoon,  gentlemen." 


19^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

The  English  officer  started  to  reply,  but  the  admiral 
had  stepped  to  the  other  side  of  the  bridge  and  had 
summoned  his  flag  lieutenant;  so  the  visiting  lieu- 
tenants re-entered  the  steam  launch  and  put  back  to- 
ward the  harbor. 

The  next  half  hour  was  a  busy  one  for  the  Peruvians. 
Signal  after  signal  was  hoisted  on  the  Huascar,  and 
the  result  of  the  many  orders  was  a  complete  realign- 
ment of  the  fleet  for  the  afternoon.  By  two  o'clock 
stations  had  been  taken  as  follows : 

Two  miles  to  the  west  of  the  Huascar  was  the  Chor- 
illos,  stationary,  her  protected  sides  up  and  ready  for 
action.  Two  miles  to  the  east  the  Payta,  similarly 
prepared,  stood  as  a  sentinel.  These  battleships  were 
in  position  to  head  ofif  any  ship  that  might  try  to 
escape,  or  they  could  converge  to  a  point,  should  the 
combined  fleets  steam  out.  Within  two  cables  length 
of  the  Huascar  were  the  Oroya  and  the  Pisco.  Their 
sides  had  not  been  raised,  no  signal  having  been  given 
them  to  prepare  for  action.  Two  miles  north  of  the 
Huascar  and  the  battleships,  the  five  cruisers  steamed 
up  and  down,  at  fifteen  knots,  guarding  the  harbor, 
from  point  to  point.  They  covered  a  distance  of  fifteen 
miles  and  maintained  a  complete  cordon.  For  this 
maneuver,  Vice-Admiral  Padre  had  transferred  his 
flag  to  the  Matucana,  and  he  therefore  had  tmder  his 
command,  in  addition  to  the  cruiser  mentioned,  which 
became  the  flagship  of  the  flying  squadron,  the  cruis- 
ers Tambovisa,  Chosica,  Mejillones  and  Arica. 

To  the  south  of  the  Huascar  and  the  closest  in-shore 
of  any  vessels  of  the  Peruvian  fleet  were  the  torpedo 


A  Surprise  197 

boats  Anita,  Maria,  Rosita  and  Avita — the  last  named 
having  rejoined  the  fleet  after  doing  scout  duty.  The 
MadeHne  and  the  Mercedes  were  twenty  miles  to  the 
east,  and  the  boom  of  a  signal  gun  coming  from  that 
point  of  the  compass  proved  that  they  had  occupied 
the  village  designated  by  Admiral  Garcia.  The  posi- 
tions taken  by  the  Peruvian  vessels  can  be  seen  in  the 
following  diagram: 


O  CO 

s  g  J  1     I 

I  i     I     I     .  ?    ? 


RJ  C 


"^  fn  C3  rH  „  ^ 

S  ^  S  .  U  H  < 

*  n:  ♦  ♦  ^j.  ^fr 

o 


N  o  I        u 


w- 


Oh 


* 


* 


Ji  >•  o  ^ 

<        <        f^        ^ 

*  *  *  * 


VALPARAISO  HARBOR. 


While  these  maneuvers  were  taking  place  Ensign 
Romero,  following  instructions  given  by  the  admiral, 
had  arranged  tables  showing  the  strength  of  the  op- 
posing fleets.  The  result  of  his  labors,  after  consulting 
books  brought  from  the  Oroya,  was  as  follows : 


•ssBio 


•ri       w 


(•sjonji) 
•paads 


•ssqnx 
opadjoi 


"^^i 


•Ha 


a 

• 

M 

be  . 
0    • 

.r. 

0  : 

"•""S-l 

,   0 

o^c 

au 

<;^      <^ 

u  0; 

_  c 

TJ  C 

^•-< 

^f 

«i 

c  o 


(•snox) 
-aoBldsja 


5-no 
A4UA4 


55  >  J  «^ 


(198) 


(199) 


200  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Down  in  the  chart  room,  which  was  near  the  steer- 
age, a  junior  heutenant  and  an  ensign  were  busy  for 
several  hours  over  a  chart  of  Valparaiso  bay  that  had 
been  brought  from  the  Oroya.  One  of  them  would 
come  on  deck  at  intervals  and  take  sights,  then  dis- 
appear below  again.  They  were  marking  with  flags 
the  positions  of  all  the  British  and  Chilean  ships,  and 
also  the  shore  batteries.  At  eight  bells,  Admiral  Gar- 
cia announced  that  he  would  transfer  his  flag  back 
to  the  Oroya,  but  before  doing  so  he  summoned  the 
engineer  who  had  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  works 
below  deck  and  asked  him  if  there  was  enough  coal 
on  board  for  the  voyage  to  Callao. 

"Plenty,  sir,"  was  the  reply. 

"Captain  Crane,"  said  the  admiral,  "you  will  return 
to  the  Oroya  with  me  and  take  command  of  the  flag- 
ship. Captain  Beausire  has  applied  for  sick  leave  and 
he  will  take  the  Huascar  home." 

The  expression  of  glad  surprise  visible  on  the  Irish- 
man's face  as  he  acknowledged  the  appointment  by  a 
salute  caused  Hawkins  to  grasp  his  hand  and  say,  "I 
congratulate  you." 

The  officers  and  sailors  who  had  been  detailed  to 
the  Huascar  remained  on  board,  the  admiral  being 
accompanied  back  only  by  the  members  of  his  suite, 
the  correspondent  and  Captain  Crane.  When  the 
Oroya  was  reached.  Captain  Beausire  bade  adieu  to  his 
associates  on  the  flag-ship  and  left  for  the  little  iron- 
clad. It  could  be  seen  that  it  was  with  reluctance  he 
did  so,  and  Admiral  Garcia's  cheery  "You  will  be  all 
right  soon,"  brought  but  a  feeble  smile  to  his  lips. 


A  Surprise  201 

Hawkins  noticed  for  the  first  time  that  the  captain's 
cheeks  were  thin  and  drawn,  and  that  he  appeared  to 
be  suffering  great  pain.  "What  is  the  matter  with 
him,  Louis?"  he  asked. 

"An  abscess  has  formed  near  the  ear  drum,  and  he 
has  not  slept  for  nearly  a  w^eek.  It  was  caused  by  the 
great  gun  fire  before  we  left  the  Chinchas.  The  fleet 
surgeon  says  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for  him  to  be 
treated  by  a  specialist  in  Lima.  He  refused  to  go  until 
I  ordered  him  to  do  so." 

It  was  a  busy  afternoon,  and  so  the  time  passed 
quickly.  There  were  many  things  to  be  done  before 
the  Huascar  sailed,  and  then  there  was  the  return  to 
shore  of  the  Chilean  prisoners,  which  had  been  prom- 
ised by  the  admiral.  This  was  accompHshed  by  the 
torpedo  boat  Rosita.  She  was  detached  from  her  sta- 
tion by  the  admiral  soon  after  he  again  hoisted  his 
flag  on  the  Oroya,  and  was  sent  to  the  cruiser  that  had 
provided  temporary  quarters  for  the  former  crew  of 
the  Huascar.  When  these  men  were  on  board  a  flag 
of  truce  was  placed  in  the  Rosita's  bow,  and  she  en- 
tered the  harbor,  where  she  delivered  the  prisoners  to 
the  Almirante  Cochrane,  then  returned  to  her  station. 
At  two  bells  of  the  dog-watch  the  signal  was  hoisted 
for  the  Huascar  to  get  under  way,  and  a  few  minutes 
later  the  little  iron-clad  steamed  slowly  through  the 
fleet  on  her  way  north,  dipping  her  ensign  as  she 
passed  each  vessel  of  the  new  Peruvian  navy. 

"Is  there  not  danger  of  a  Chilean  ship  overhauling 
her?"  asked  Hawkins. 


202  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"There  will  not  be  any  left  to  do  so,"  Admiral  Louis 
replied. 

Although  none  of  the  vessels  of  the  two  fleets  lying 
in  the  harbor  had  ventured  outside  during  the  after- 
noon, it  could  be  seen  that  they  were  not  idle.  Several 
of  the  Chilean  ships  had  drawn  up  near  one  of  the 
forts,  evidently  to  take  on  board  an  extra  supply  of 
ammunition.     The  EngHsh  ships  were  coaling. 

When  the  sun  set  the  three  fleets  occupied  the  same 
positions  as  earlier  in  the  day.  By  this  time  the  Huas- 
car  was  hull  down  on  the  horizon.  Then  night  com- 
menced to  spread  over  the  waters  of  the  Pacific  and 
the  land  of  Chile. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
THREE    FLEETS    IN    ACTION. 

At  this  day  the  population  of  Valparaiso  numbered 
140,000,  which  included  some  5,000  foreigners.  Half 
the  natives  could  trace  their  ancestry  to  the  shores  of 
Spain;  of  the  other  half  some  could  not  name  their 
ancestors  at  all,  and  others  did  not  wish  to,  Indian 
blood  being  in  their  veins — which  the  descendants  of 
old  Castile  had  taught  them,  was  degrading — and  they 
were  satisfied  to  be  called  ''peons." 

Spurred  on  by  British  influence  and  example,  Chile 
had  vied  with  Argentine  in  progressiveness  and  had 
forged  ahead  rapidly  in  the  commercial  world  since 
the  crushing  defeat  she  administered  to  Peru  in  the 
war  of  1879-80. 

The  city  of  Valparaiso  nestles  at  the  base  of  hills 
that  are  1,000  to  1,400  feet  high.  The  old  town,  termed 
El  Puerto,  is  but  a  few  feet  above  high  water  mark; 
the  new,  or  Almendral,  constructed  on  hillsides  or 
cuttings  from  the  clififs,  is  in  places  difficult  of  access. 
The  semi-circular  bay  is  two  and  a  half  miles  wide  at 
the  point  where  ships  usually  lie  at  anchor ;  but  widens 
rapidly  beyond,  for  the  land  falls  back  toward  the 
coast  line  on  the  east.  Although  Santiago  is  the 
capital  city,  Valparaiso  boasts  some  fine  state  build- 
ings, among  them  a  government  palace,  the  architec- 
ture of  which  arrests  attention,  a  customs  house  and 

203 


204  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

several  large  warehouses.  The  city  has  been  the  scene 
of  many  fierce  encounters,  during  internecine  strife  of 
recent  date  and  during  struggles  with  foreign  invaders. 

Juan  de  Saavedra  founded  Valparaiso  in  1536,  but 
Valdivia  found  it  deserted  eight  years  later  and  estab- 
lished a  trading  station  there.  The  place  was  captured 
by  Drake  and  a  third  time  by  a  Dutch  corsair.  Spanish 
rule  finally  prevailed  and  continued  until  Chile  threw 
off  the  yoke  early  in  the  sixties  and  declared  herself 
independent.  At  this  time  a  chain  of  forts  was  con- 
structed in  the  city  and  their  armament  proved  suffi- 
ciently powerful  to  repulse  the  Spanish  attacking 
squadron.  Since  then,  earthworks  and  castles  had  been 
rebuilt  and  modern  artillery  mounted. 

As  the  sun  was  setting  on  this  loth  of  June,  Admiral 
Garcia  y  Garcia  took  a  last  careful  look  at  the  ships 
in  the  harbor,  and  then,  closing  his  telescope,  he  said 
to  Captain  Crane :  "They  intend  giving  battle  in  the 
bay  so  that  the  forts  can  join  in  the  action.  Lord 
Harvey  is  undoubtedly  impressed  with  what  he  has 
seen  and  with  what  he  has  learned  from  the  officers  we 
held  as  prisoners.  He  is  wise  in  a  way  to  select  in- 
shore fighting,  for  our  superior  speed  will  not' count 
to  great  advantage  in  the  harbor.  He  unwittingly 
makes  the  mistake,  however,  of  believing  that  our  great 
speed  and  heavy  armament  constitute  our  sole  elements 
of  superiority.  To-night  we  will  show  him  that  the 
armor  manufactured  on  the  Chinchas  will  have  to  be 
taken  into  consideration  in  the  future  in  all  engage- 
ments with  a  Peruvian  squadron. 

"Observe,   captain,"   continued   the   admiral,   "the 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  205 

merchantmen  are  preparing  to  move  to  the  lower  end 
of  the  bay,  in  fact  some  of  them  have  already  changed 
their  anchorage;  and  if  you  look  sharp,  before  twi- 
light shuts  off  the  vision,  you  will  see  that  Valparaiso 
is  being  depopulated :  there  is  a  steady  stream  of 
humanity  wending  from  the  city  to  the  foot-hills. 

''When  I  gave  orders  yesterday  for  the  formation  of 
two  squadrons  I  expected  the  enemy  would  come  into 
the  open,  but  now  I  think  it  well  to  preserve  the  order 
of  this  afternoon." 

The  commander-in-chief  motioned  for  his  flag  lieu- 
tenant to  approach  and  told  him  to  signal  the  vice- 
admiral  and  the  commanders  of  the  Pisco,  the  Payta 
and  the  Chorillos  to  report  on  board  the  flag-ship  for 
instructions.  At  this  hour  the  Matucana,  which  flew 
Vice-Admiral  Padre's  flag,  was  almost  abreast  the 
Oroya  on  her  eastern  trip,  while  performing  duty  as  a 
patrol  of  the  flying  squadron.  She  hove  to  when  the 
signals  were  hoisted  and  a  barge  put  off  from  her  side. 
It  reached  the  flag-ship  but  a  few  minutes  after 
the  small  boats  which  brought  the  commanders  of  the 
three  battleships,  and  at  fifteen  minutes  after  six  the 
officers  were  seated  in  the  cabin. 

Hawkins  and  others  who  were  assembled  noticed 
that  the  admiral  was  more  earnest  of  speech  and  more 
deliberate  of  action  than  usual.  His  orders  were  not 
given  as  quickly  as  heretofore,  nor  when  given  was 
there  an  intimation  in  the  tone  that  he  wished  a  word 
of  advice,  or  a  suggestion.  This  was  not  a  council  of 
war,  as  was  the  gathering  in  the  same  apartments  the 
night  before ;  it  was  an  assembling  of  subordinates  to 


2o6  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

receive  orders.  One  man  was  master  of  the  situation 
and  he  was  Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia. 

"I  have  summoned  you,"  he  said  deHberatety,  "to 
explain  the  plan  of  battle  and  to  tell  you  the  part  you 
are  to  take  to-night.  The  enemy,  as  you  have  prob- 
ably surmised,  vv^ish  the  engagement  to  take  place  in 
the  harbor,  where  the  shore  batteries  can  aid  the  ships. 
They  expect  that  our  entire  fleet  will  steam  in  and 
become  engaged.  Should  we  do  this  they  would  have 
opportunity  to  use  with  effect  the  only  weapon  that 
we  on  the  battleships  have  reason  to  fear — the  torpedo. 
Therefore  I  have  decided  that  but  one  vessel  of  the 
Peruvian  fleet  will  engage  the  enemy  at  close  quarters 
and  that  ship  will  be  the  Oroya.'' 

The  offlcers  and  the  newspaper  correspondent  could 
not  prevent  exclamations  of  surprise  at  this  announce- 
ment, but  the  admiral  continued  his  instructions  with- 
out noticing  their  words,  saying:  "Vice-Admiral 
Padre,  you  will  maintain  the  same  station  as  at  present 
with  the  cruisers,  except  that,  after  nightfall,  you  will 
move  closer  in-shore  until  the  distance  from  point  to 
point  is  five  miles,  and  over  this  stretch  of  water  you 
will  maintain  a  perfect  cordon.  If  a  vessel  attempts 
to  escape  from  the  bay  capture  her  if  possible ;  if  not, 
sink  her.  While  on  this  station,  do  not  show  more 
lights  than  are  absolutely  necessary  to  avoid  collisions, 
and  do  not  enter  the  harbor  until  you  are  signaled  to 
do  so." 

Turning  to  the  three  captains  he  said :  "Upon  you, 
gentlemen,  will  devolve  the  duty  of  preventing  the 
enemy  sinking  the   Oroya  during  the  engagement. 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  207 

Captain  Paschal,  you  will  move  the  Chorillos  to  the 
west  end  of  the  bay.  Captain  Camara,  the  Pisco  will 
lie  at  the  extreme  east.  Captain  Rodriguez,  the  Payta 
will  occupy  a  station  between  the  two,  about  where 
she  is  at  present.  Your  duties  will  be  the  same.  When 
the  Oroya  enters  the  harbor  at  midnight  throw  your 
searchlights  to  each  side  of  her  and  astern,  then  watch 
for  any  attack  on  the  flag-ship  by  torpedo  boats  or  by 
floating  torpedoes,  which  you  must  prevent  being  suc- 
cessful. Do  not  throw  your  lights  upon  the  flag-ship, 
but  illuminate  the  waters  on  the  sides.  I  shall  so  rely 
upon  you  and  your  gunners  that  I  shall  pay  no  atten- 
tion to  these  craft  and  devote  all  efforts  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  enemies'  fleets  with  our  great  guns.  Gentle- 
men, you  may  return  to  your  commands." 

Twilight  was  fast  deepening  into  night  when  they 
stepped  on  deck.  Lights  appeared  here  and  there  in 
the  bay,  and  the  fact  that  they  were  all  moving  slowly 
in  one  direction  proved  they  were  on  merchantmen 
that  were  seeking  to  get  out  of  range.  A  few  lights 
could  be  seen  in  the  city  beyond.  Black  clouds  were 
rising  from  the  horizon,  and  although  they  promised 
to  overcast  the  sky,  there  was  no  indication  that  an- 
other fog  would  close  in. 

"Are  you  not  taking  a  great  risk,  Louis?"  asked 
Hawkins,  as  they  glanced  around  the  bay  before  going 
to  supper. 

"Not  as  much  as  one  might  think,"  he  replied. 
"Should  our  fleet  move  in,  there  would  be  more  or  less 
confusion  and  the  enemy  would  have  more  chance  to 
deliver  a  fatal  blow.    They  will  not  expect  the  man- 


2o8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

euver  now  contemplated,  and  during  the  first  half  of 
the  battle  we  will  have  the  advantage,  for  they  will  be 
working  in  the  dark.  The  only  target  at  which  they 
can  fire,  unless  they  go  outside,  will  be  the  Oroya  and 
although  we  will  appear  to  be  fighting  the  two  fleets, 
yet  it  will  be  impossible  for  more  than  two  or  three 
vessels  to  engage  us  at  once,  for  fear  of  inflicting 
damage  upon  one  another.  The  same  will  hold  true 
with  the  shore  batteries,  and  you  will  find  that  their  fire 
will  be  rendered  almost  useless.  But  that  reminds  me, 
Carey,  the  Oroya  is  going  to  be  a  warm  place  when 
once  we  get  into  the  thick  of  it,  and  perhaps  you  would 
like  to  go  on  board  one  of  the  other  vessels  ?" 

"Louis,  do  you  really  think  that  of  me?" 

"There,  I  beg  your  pardon,  old  man ;  I  didn't  mean 
it  that  way  at  all.  Only,  it  is  not  your  fight,  you  know, 
and  your  duty  toward  your  newspaper,  so  it  seems  to 
me,  requires  that  you  keep  a  whole  skin  if  possible." 

"Duty  requires  me  to  witness  everything  possible," 
replied  Hawkins,  "and  that  and  my  comradeship  of 
years  will  cause  me  to  remain  in  the  conning  tow^er 
of  the  Oroya,  if  the  admiral  of  the  Peruvian  navy  will 
permit !" 

"Indeed  I  will,  Carey;  and  now  let  us  adjourn  to 
the  cabin  for  a  half  hour  or  so." 

Later  in  the  evening  the  correspondent  asked :  "In 
your  plans  for  the  engagement,  have  you  not  forgotten 
the  torpedo  boats  ?" 

"No,"  said  the  admiral,  smiling  at  his  friend's  earn- 
estness.   "They  will  open  the  ball,  as  you  shall  see." 

As  they  returned   to  deck,   eight   bells   rang  out 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  209 

sharply  on  the  flag-ship ;  eight  bells  came  musically 
from  the  Pisco  and  the  Payta,  which  lay  to  port  and 
to  starboard ;  then  the  same  number  of  sweet  sounds 
swept  in  from  the  Chorillos  and  from,  the  torpedo- 
boats  ;  and  finally,  like  faint  echoes,  the  notes  of  many 
bells  swept  out  from  the  harbor.  Night  was  fully  born 
and  a  black  arch  rounded  overhead,  for  the  clouds 
had  shut  out  the  starlight.  There  were  lights  twink- 
ling at  the  mastheads  of  the  three  Peruvian  battleships 
and  the  torpedo-boats,  but  not  a  sign  to  indicate  where 
the  cruisers  of  the  flying  squadron  were  moving  to  and 
fro :  there  were  few  lights  in  the  city  of  Valparaiso 
and  none  on  the  vessels  of  the  British  and  Chilean 
fleets.  Occasionally,  close  in  shore,  a  funnel  sputtered 
forth  a  little  blaze,  showing  that  fires  were  roaring  in 
the  furnaces,  and  then  blackness  would  blot  out  the 
glow. 

The  sounding  of  the  hour  of  eight  had  been  followed 
by  a  long  electric  flash  from  the  cylinder  that  pro- 
truded above  the  Oroya's  wheel-house ;  it  was  a  signal 
for  the  fleet  to  prepare  for  general  action.  No  roll  of 
drums  or  blare  of  bugles  followed,  for  orders  had  been 
passed  to  work  as  silently  as  possible.  Down  came  the 
Oroya's  royal  and  top-gallant  yards  and  then  the  m.asts 
sank  into  one  another.  The  deck  opened  its  many 
maws  and  swallowed  the  light  superstructures;  then 
the  great  guns,  more  powerful  than  any  in  the  world, 
whether  on  ship  or  shore,  cam.e  in  sight  and  were 
drawn  into  position.  Up  went  the  sides  until  the  shell 
of  armor  was  arched  overhead,  and  last  there  rose  the 
conning  tower.    When  the  metamorphosis  was  com- 


210  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

plete  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  took  his  station  in  the 
steel  round  house.  With  him  were  Captain  Crane, 
Lieutenant  Cordero  and  Ensign  Romero  of  the  staff, 
two  lieutenants  of  the  line,  Messrs.  Spencer  and  Smith, 
a  quartermaster  and  Correspondent  Hawkins.  Be- 
neath them,  at  their  stations,  were  the  guns'  crews. 

"It  will  probably  be  three  hours  before  we  go  into 
action,"  said  the  admiral,  "but  now  that  night  has 
fallen  the  enemy  may  come  out  and  It  is  well  to  be 
prepared.    Captain  Crane,  keep  a  sharp  lookout." 

At  that  moment  the  Oroya's  commander  was  in- 
structing Lieutenant  Spencer  to  take  the  first  watch  of 
an  hour,  to  be  relieved  by  Lieutenant  Smith.  Marine 
glass  in  hand,  the  officer  designated  mounted  the  nar- 
row platform  and  took  a  position  from  where  he  could 
see  in  all  directions  through  slits  in  the  towxr.  The 
others  were  grouped  below  the  platform,  where  chairs 
had  been  placed,  and  there  they  talked  of  the  impend- 
ing conflict.  Through  the  opening  in  the  bottom  of 
the  tower  could  be  seen  the  deck,  the  great  guns  and 
the  sailors  at  stations.  Electric  lights  were  shining 
and  the  men  were  gathered  in  groups,  some  chatting, 
most  of  them  smoking,  for  they  had  been  told  to  rest  at 
ease  until  needed,  and  special  privileges  had  been 
granted  during  the  long  wait  in  the  use  of  tobacco  on 
the  gun  deck.  The  men  of  the  Oroya  were  a  picked 
crew,  tall,  broad-shouldered  and  of  magnificent  phy- 
sique. They  were  half  clad,  but  some  of  them  had 
thrown  light  jackets  over  their  bare  chests  and  shoul- 
ders until  the  call  to  guns  should  be  sounded. 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  211 

"Why  is  it  that  men  strip  to  the  waist  before  going 
into  action  ?"  Hawkins  asked  the  admiral. 

"So  that  spHnters,  let  fly  by  bursting  shells,  may  not 
carry  bits  of  cloth  into  the  wounds,"  he  replied. 

They  were  twenty-five  feet  above  the  deck  level 
while  in  this  conning  tower  and  the  space  beneath  them 
resembled  a  vast  amphitheater,  as  viewed  from  the  raft- 
ers. There  was  nothing  visible  on  the  deck  except 
the  seven  great  guns  and  the  sailors  and  oi^cers  who 
manned  them.  The  smaller  pieces  had  not  been  hoisted 
from  the  hold  for  this  night's  engagement. 

''You  cannot  use  the  machine  guns  while  the  sides 
are  up,  can  you?"  asked  the  newspaper  correspondent. 

"Yes,  there  are  sHdes  that  can  be  opened  for  them, 
should  there  be  need,  but  to-night  we  will  rely  on  the 
great  gun  fire.  No  attention  will  be  paid  to  the 
enemy's  torpedo-boats,  and  machine  guns  are  only 
useful  against  such  craft  and  when  at  close  quarters." 

Two  bells  sounded  on  the  Oroya,  the  clanging  sound 
reverberating  in  the  hollow  steel  shell  as  it  might  in 
a  cavern.  It  was  nine  o'clock  and  there  had  been  no 
move  made  by  the  ships  in  the  harbor,  nor  by  the 
vessels  that  blockaded  the  port. 

The  next  hour  passed  slowly,  as  does  time  always 
when  one  is  waiting  for  something  to  happen.  At 
half  past  nine  Lieutenant  Smith  relieved  Lieutenant 
Spencer,  but  beyond  this  incident  nothing  occurred  to 
break  the  monotony. 

Soon  after  four  bells  the  watch  officer  uttered  a 
warning  exclamation  that  at  once  brought  Admiral 


212  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Garcia  and  Captain  Crane  to  their  feet  and  to  positions 
at  his  side  on  the  platform. 

"Over  to  port,  sir/'  the  junior  officer  said.  "See 
her,  creeping  along  close  in  shore!"  and  he  pointed  in 
the  direction. 

His  seniors  saw  a  dull  red  glow  and  at  once  recog- 
nized it  as  the  glare  from  the  funnel  of  a  ship  whose 
furnaces  were  burning  briskly. 

"Throw  the  light  on  her,  Crane,"  said  the  admiral. 

The  execution  of  this  order  was  another  proof  of  the 
perfected  mechanical  apparatus  on  the  Oroya.  Pres- 
sure on  a  button  caused  powerful  searchlight  rays  to 
be  cast  from  the  side  of  the  flag-ship.  By  moving  a 
small  lever  in  the  conning  tower  an  officer  directed  the 
course  of  the  light  at  will.  In  a  second  the  beams 
were  thrown  on  the  place  where  all  had  been  glancing, 
and  there  was  revealed,  as  if  she  stood  forth  in  day- 
light, a  ship  of  the  Chilean  navy,  headed  toward  sea, 
but  close  in  shore,  and  under  full  steam ;  her  men  at 
quarters,  standing  by  the  guns  and  gathered  in  the 
mihtary  tops. 

*The  Almirante  Molinas !"  exclaimed  Admiral  Gar- 
cia. "She  has  a  speed  of  twenty-two  knots  and  is  one 
of  the  swiftest  boats  of  the  combined  navies.  I  won- 
der what  she  is  coming  out  for?  Keep  the  light  on 
her.  Captain  Crane,  and,  Mr.  Cordero,  signal  the  vice- 
admiral  to  capture  her  when  she  is  five  miles  out." 

The  correspondent  noticed  that  the  flash  signal  ap- 
paratus was  as  simple  as  the  other  pieces  of  mechanism 
and  that  the  flag  officer  used  a  key,  resembling  that 
employed  by  telegraph  operators.      Dots  and  dashes 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  213 

of  light  from  the  top  of  the  conning  tower  followed 
his  manipulation  of  the  little  brass  lever. 

Under  the  searchlight's  fierce  glare  the  officers  of 
the  Molinas  could  be  seen  on  the  bridge,  marine 
glasses  in  hand,  examining  the  bay  and  endeavoring, 
to  locate  the  vessels  of  the  hostile  fleet.  But  owing 
to  the  use  of  reflectors  it  was  impossible  for  them  to 
see  the  ship  which  cast  the  brilHant  rays  upon  them, 
and  the  others  had  hauled  down  their  lights. 

"Where  can  she  be  heading  for  ?"  again  queried  the 
admiral.  For  the  Molinas,  despite  her  having  been 
discovered,  kept  on  her  course,  and  the  spray  at  her 
bow  and  wave  lines  at  the  side  told  that  she  was  steam- 
ing at  full  speed.  For  five  minutes  the  Oroya  illumi- 
nated her  path  and  then  it  became  apparent  that  the 
Chilean  was  edging  closer  in  shore  and  shaping  her 
course  as  close  to  the  east  as  was  possible. 

"Now  I  understand,"  said  the  admiral,  when  there 
could  be  no  doubt  of  the  way  the  Molinas  was  head- 
ing. "Lord  Harvey  has  discovered  that  the  cable  has 
been  cut  beyond  Vina  del  Mar  and  he  has  sent  out  the 
swiftest  vessel  of  the  two  fleets  with  orders  to  restore 
telegraphic  communication  with  the  outside  world. 
Let  her  go  for  the  present,  Captain  Crane;  she  will 
soon  be  in  the  clutches  of  the  flying  squadron." 

The  searchlight  was  extinguished  and  the  Chilean 
man-of-war  was  blotted  from  the  scene  even  as  a  pic- 
ture disappears  from  the  white  screen  when  the  slide 
is  drawn  from  the  magic  lantern.  The  officers  in  the 
conning  tower  peered  into  the  darkness  and  listened 
attentively  for  fully  ten  minutes ;  and  then  there  shot 


214  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

forth  in  the  night,  from  out  at  sea,  a  flash  as  of  light- 
ning, and  five  seconds  later  there  rolled  over  the  water 
sound  waves  of  such  magnitude  that  the  instruments 
of  observation  on  the  flag-ship  trembled  as  if  shaken 
by  a  hand.  The  roar  swept  over  the  city  of  Valparaiso 
and  then  back  came  the  echoes,  thrown  from  the  foot- 
hills. 

"If  I  mistake  not  that  was  an  eight-inch  on  the 
Matucana,"  said  the  admiral ;  "and  there  go  more  of 
them,"  he  added,  for  flash  followed  flash  until  half  a 
dozen  brilliant  darts  pierced  the  night.  Following,  at 
intervals,  came  reverberation  after  reverberation,  roll- 
ing in  from  the  ocean,  and  then  again  all  was  quiet. 

"The  enemy  is  on  fire!"  soon  reported  the  watch 
officer,  and  the  occupants  of  the  conning  tower  could 
see  a  red  haze  forming  in  the  distance. 

Groups  as  curious  as  the  one  in  the  conning  tower 
had  formed  on  the  gun  deck,  where  sailors  and  officers 
crowded  to  the  apertures  at  the  starboard  side  and 
gazed  in  the  direction  where  the  enemy  was  last  seen, 
in  an  effort  to  view  the  sequel  to  the  bold  dash  of  the 
Chilean  from  the  harbor.  That  the  sight  of  all  on 
board  might  not  be  interfered  with  the  electric  current 
that  supplied  the  incandescent  lamps  was  turned  off 
and  the  Oroya  was  in  darkness. 

"Mr.  Cordero,  instruct  the  vice-admiral  that  he  may 
use  the  searchlight  until  he  has  rescued  the  crew  of 
the  Chilean  and  has  captured  the  prize,"  said  the  com- 
mander-in-chief. A  few  seconds  after  the  signal  was 
flashed,  pursuant  to  these  orders,  the  burning  warship 
was  so  brilliantly  lighted  by  the  glow  thrown  from  the 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  215 

Matucana  that  the  bursting  flames  on  board  her,  which 
as  they  gained  progress  had  changed  from  red  to 
yellow,  again  turned  to  red,  and  to  a  darker  red,  in 
contrast  with  the  artificial  light.  This  electric  glare 
was  so  bright  that  those  on  the  flag-ship  who  used 
marine  glasses  could  see  that  the  crew  had  become 
panic-stricken  and  were  crow^ding  forward  to  escape 
the  flames.  The  Molinas  was  drifting  aimlessly,  proof 
that  her  steering  gear  had  been  shot  away,  and  she 
was  rolling  in  the  trough  of  the  sea.  A  few  minutes 
later  barges  and  cutters  from  vessels  of  the  flying 
squadron  dashed  into  the  circle  of  light  and  then  were 
repeated  the  scenes  enacted  in  Callao  Bay,  when  the 
Shamrock  was  sunk  by  the  Miraflores,  for  men  com- 
menced to  jump  into  the  sea ;  the  only  difference  being 
that  these  men  were  Chileans,  not  British. 

The  rescue  did  not  take  long,  and  just  as  the  boats 
were  backing  away  from  the  burning  cruiser  the  prow 
of  a  Peruvian  warship  was  seen  entering  the  circle  of 
light. 

'The  Tambovisa!"  reported  the  watch  officer. 

She  steamed  close  to  the  burning  ship  and  com- 
menced to  throw  a  pow^erful  stream  of  water  into  the 
Molinas.  When  ten  minutes  had  elapsed  without  this 
having  apparent  effect.  Captain  Crane  suggested  the 
advisability  of  ordering  the  cruiser  away  because  of 
the  danger  from  exploding  magazines,  and  the  admiral 
was  on  the  point  of  doing  so  when  the  flames  began 
to  subside.  Soon  a  barge  put  oft*  from  the  Tambovisa, 
and  it  could  be  seen  that  lines  of  hose  were  being 
carried  to  the  deck  of  the  Chilean  from  the  small  boat. 


2i6  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Then  other  boats,  loaded  with  sailors  formed  as  a  fire 
brigade,  pulled  alongside,  the  Peruvians  swarmed  up 
the  sides  of  the  prize  and  crowded  into  the  smoke. 
So  successful  were  their  efforts  that  an  hour  and  a 
half  after  the  Matucana  fired  the  first  shot  the  flag- 
ship of  the  flying  squadron  flashed  the  word  that  the 
flames  had  been  extinguished,  and  a  moment  later  the 
searchHght  was  turned  from  the  prize.  At  twenty 
minutes  to  twelve  Vice-Admiral  Padre  signaled  the 
following :  "Have  captured  the  Chilean  cruiser  Almi- 
rante  MoHnas,  twelve  hundred  tons,  four  guns,  eight 
officers  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  men.  Two  offi- 
cers and  ten  men  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell. 
Three  officers  and  twelve  men  wounded  and  being 
cared  for  on  the  flag-ship.  Molinas  did  not  fire  a  shot, 
being  unable  to  get  our  range.  Fire  confined  to  deck 
works  and  did  little  damage  to  hull.  Prize  in  excel- 
lent condition.'* 

"The  thanks  of  the  fleet!"  was  the  brief  response 
signaled  back,  by  order  of  the  commander-in-chief. 

Once  more  all  became  silent  and  dark  in  the  bay, 
and  the  eyes  of  those  who  had  viewed  the  stirring 
scenes  enacted  five  miles  out  at  sea  involuntarily 
turned  to  the  clock  in  the  Oroya's  conning  tower  and 
watched  the  hands  creep  slowly  to  the  hour  of  twelve. 
The  British  and  Chilean  ships  in  the  harbor  showed 
no  lights,  and  the  few  lights  that  had  been  seen  earlier 
in  the  evening  in  the  city  of  Valparaiso  had  been 
extinguished,  that  the  blockading  fleet  might  not  have 
their  aid  in  securing  the  range  of  objects  on  shore. 
The  masthead  lights  on  the  battle-ships  of  the  Peru- 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  217 

vian  navy  had  been  hauled  down ;  and  from  shore  to 
shore,  and  from  water  front  to  open  sea,  there  was 
not  a  sign  that  man  Hved  or  had  being.  Nature 
only  illumined  the  black  intensity  with  a  thin  line  of 
phosphorescence,  where  breakers  fell  frothing  on  the 
beach.  The  glad  notes  of  bells  were  due  to  ring  out 
all  over  the  harbor  and  sound  eight  strokes  for  the 
midnight  hour  when  the  clock  hands  o'erlapped  each 
other  at  the  perpendicular,  but  this  night,  when  it  v/as 
twelve,  the  silence  was  as  profound  as  the  surround- 
ing black  was  intense,  save  that  low,  musical  chimes 
came  from  a  monastery  in  the  new  quarter  of  the  city, 
accentuating  the  silence  by  contrast,  as  the  phosphor- 
escent breakers  accentuated  the  darkness. 

As  the  notes  were  dying  away  w^ord  was  passed  from 
bow  to  stern  on  the  battle-ship  Oroya,  and  men  sprang 
to  positions  assigned  them  when  in  general  action. 
The  sailors  had  stripped  to  the  waist  and  their  bare 
backs  and  chests  glistened  under  the  electric  lights 
that  had  been  turned  on  for  a  few  minutes,  until  every- 
one could  place  himself  in  position.  They  were  all 
large  men,  but  they  seemed  short  of  stature  when 
beside  the  great  guns,  the  muzzles  of  which  had  been 
run  through  the  ports.  Ammunition  holds  were  open 
and  ammunition  hoists  were  ready  to  be  pushed  up 
and  down  and  back  and  forth ;  for  there  was  an  over- 
head railway  of  elliptical  shape  from  bow  to  stern,  and 
along  this  traveled  steel  baskets  with  fifteen-inch  and 
sixteen-inch  shells  as  burdens.  Over  the  hatches  that 
opened  into  the  magazines  were  thrown  strips  of  felt, 
to  prevent  sparks  and  fragments,  that  might  be  scat- 


2iS  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

tered  by  an  explosion,  falling  among  the  combustibles. 
Long  lines  of  fire  hose  had  been  run  on  the  deck  and 
the  bulging  rubber  showed  that  water  was  forced 
through  their  lengths,  ready  to  be  used  under  pres- 
sure by  the  turning  of  cock  at  the  nozzle.  Buckets 
filled  with  water  were  suspended  from  hooks  and 
chemical  hand-grenades  were  within  easy  reach. 
Standing  at  the  head  of  an  after  companion  way  was 
the  fieet  surgeon,  the  surgeon  of  the  Oroya,  two 
assistants  and  a  dozen  hospital  stewards,  ready  to  care 
for  the  wounded.  Their  operating  room  was  the  steer- 
age, immediately  below  them  on  the  berth  deck.  The 
long  mess  table  there  had  been  covered  with  oilcloth 
and  on  side  tables  had  been  placed  scalpels  and  saws. 

While  the  men  stood  thus  waiting,  and  just  before 
the  lights  were  turned  of¥,  the  members  of  each  gun's 
crew  were  served  with  hot  cof¥ee  by  the  forecastle 
stewards. 

At  the  opening  in  the  bottom  of  the  conning  tower, 
and  directly  above  the  gun  deck,  Lieutenant  Smith 
was  stationed,  to  repeat  to  those  below  the  orders 
issued  by  Captain  Crane.  He  held  a  megaphone  in 
hand,  so  that  his  voice  could  be  heard  above  the  din 
of  battle.  Lieutenant  Spencer  and  Ensign  Romero 
were  placed  at  port  and  starboard  slits  of  the  conning 
tower.  Admiral  Garcia  took  the  central  position,  that 
he  might  see  directly  ahead.  At  his  right  stood  Flag 
Lieutenant  Cordero,  whose  right  hand  grasped  the  sig- 
nal apparatus,  and  he  was  ready,  at  a  word,  to  flash 
messages  to  other  vessels  of  the  fleet.  Immediately 
behind  the  commander-in-chief  was  Captain  Crane, 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  219 

in  position  where  he  could  direct  the  movements  of  his 
vessel  and  give  orders  for  execution  below.  The 
quartermaster  was  at  the  wheel. 

"Mr.  Cordero,  signal  the  Anita,  Rosita,  Avita  and 
Mercedes  to  dash  into  harbor  and  draw  the  enemy's 
fire,  then  return  to  their  stations." 

For  a  few  seconds  there  was  nothing  to  show  that 
the  admiral's  order  was  being  obeyed,  then  four 
white  lines  could  be  seen  on  the  black  water,  and  the 
lines  were  rushing  at  express  train  speed  into  the  night, 
away  from  the  Oroya.  The  second  hand  of  the  clock 
in  the  conning  tower  ticked  two  minutes  away.  A 
dazzling  beam  of  light  shot  out  from  near  shore,  and 
then  from  the  sides  of  ships  in  the  harbor  sprang  ray 
after  ray  as  they  turned  searchlights  in  the  direction 
of  the  on-moving  torpedo-boats ;  for  the  night  was  so 
still  the  swish  of  their  sides  through  water  had  been 
heard  and  this  had  sounded  the  alarm.  Guns  of  Brit- 
ish and  Chileans  began  to  ring  out,  but  the  range  had 
not  been  found  and  shells  dropped  all  over  the  bay, 
many  passing  the  Oroya,  screeching  like  the  wind  of 
a  wintry  night,  and  falling  out  at  sea.  There  was 
perhaps  a  minute  of  this  wild  firing  before  the  ene- 
mies' pieces  were  trained  for  effective  action,  and  when 
shells  commenced  to  strike  near  the  small  vessels  they 
had  turned  and  were  making  their  way  back,  pursuant 
to  orders. 

The  officers  on  the  flag-ship  had  watched  this  gun 
fire  attentively,  and  as  different  ships  had  exposed  their 
positions  ranges  were  taken,  and  comparisons  were 


220  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

made  with  the  chart  that  Ensign  Romero  had  pre- 
pared during  the  afternoon. 

"None  of  them  have  moved  since  sundown,"  re- 
marked Admiral  Garcia,  as  the  gun  fire  slackened. 

A  burst  of  Hght  and  a  roar  came  from  ofi  the  port 
bow.  The  crash  was  so  great  that  the  gun  fire  in  the 
harbor  could  not  be  heard.  The  bright  light  disap- 
peared in  the  second  in  which  it  was  born  and  was 
followed  by  a  column  of  flame-illumined  water  that 
rose  to  a  height  of  fifty  feet  and  remained  stationary 
an  instant — a  whirlpool  in  midair.  In  this  waterspout, 
this  unnatural  geyser,  were  dismembered  human 
bodies  and  pieces  of  deck-work  :  arms,  legs  and  trunks 
of  men  were  gyrating  and  so  were  pieces  of  w^ood  and 
iron.  The  prow  of  a  vessel,  forced  out  of  water  by  the 
explosion,  formed  the  base  of  this  infernal  column. 
Suddenly  it  was  all  blotted  out  by  the  night;  inshore 
the  ships  had  increased  the  gun  fire  and  flashes  on  the 
hillsides  showed  that  the  forts  had  opened  on  the  dis- 
tant vessels. 

Beads  of  sweat  had  formed  on  the  forehead  of  the 
commander-in-chief.  "Which  boat  was  it,  Romero?" 
he  asked. 

"The  Avita,  I  think,  sir,"  replied  the  ensign. 

Admiral  Garcia  gave  a  sweeping  glance  around  the 
conning  tower  and  below  at  the  gun  deck,  then  rap- 
idly issued  the  orders  for  action. 

"Cordero,  signal  the  Chorillos,  Pisco  and  Payta  to 
turn  on  searchlights,  as  I  directed. 

"Crane,  full  speed  ahead  into  the  very  center  of  the 
fleets.  Open  with  the  bow  gun  at  once.     Engage  with 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  221 

both  port  and  starboard  batteries  as  soon  as  possible." 

He  stooped  over  long  enough  to  whisper  to  the 
newspaper  correspondent :  "Carey,  when  you  hear 
the  order  given  to  fire,  raise  yourself  on  your  toes  ancf 
open  your  mouth  wide.  That  will  save  your  ear  drums 
from  the  concussion !" 

The  speed  lever  was  thrown  over  to  the  thirty-five 
knot  mark,  the  great  battle-ship,  now  all  dark,  trem- 
bled slightly  as  the  longitudinal  screws  raced  in  the 
water,  forced  by  engines  working  at  full  pressure, 
then  darted  from  the  spot  where  she  had  been  sta- 
tionary so  long,  making  straight  for  the  middle  of  the 
harbor,  a  course  that  would  bring  the  British  ships 
on  the  port  side  and  the  Chileans  on  the  starboard. 
As  the  flag-ship  started  a  circle  of  light  sprang  into 
being  around  her.  It  was  a  ring  with  a  rim  of  fifty 
yards  enclosing  black  water  and  the  center  of  the  water 
was  the  Oroya;  the  light  moved  as  the  battle-ship 
moved  and  the  vessel  and  her  Saturn-like  circle  dashed 
into  the  harbor  together. 

''Depress  the  bow  gun  and  train  for  two  points  of¥ 
the  port  bow !"  shouted  Lieutenant  Smith  through  the 
megaphone,  repeating  the  order  given  by  Captain 
Crane. 

Down  in  the  dark,  cavern-like  gun-deck,  a  junior 
lieutenant  could  be  heard  directing  his  gun  crew  as 
the  instructions  from  above  were  carried  out.  Shells 
were  now  screeching  all  around  them  and  were  tear- 
ing up  the  water  of  the  bay.  There  were  incessant 
flashes  from  the  two  hostile  fleets  and  from  the  land 
batteries. 


222  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Fire !"  called  out  Lieutenant  Smith,  and  the  sound 
of  his  voice,  contorted  by  the  megaphone  so  as  to  be 
demoniacal,  penetrated  all  parts  of  the  ship. 

There  was  an  instant  of  suspense,  a  lifting  on  tip- 
toe, to  avoid  the  concussion,  then  came  a  crash  that 
caused  the  air  to  sing  in  men's  ears,  and  the  Oroya 
recoiled  and  trembled.  The  roar  made  by  the  great 
gun,  like  the  roar  caused  by  the  explosion  of  the 
Avita,  drowned  all  other  sounds  for  some  seconds,  and, 
although  flashes  proved  that  more  of  the  enemies' 
pieces  were  opening,  yet  during  this  brief  period  no 
reports  seemed  to  follow  the  flames. 

"Square  into  the  Sampson's  counter !"  sang  out  the 
ensign  joyously,  for  a  flash  of  gun  fire  had  illuminated 
the  side  of  the  British  flag-ship  the  instant  the  shell 
from  the  Oroya  struck,  and  splinters  were  seen  to  fly. 
And  now,  at  intervals,  all  the  vessels  in  the  harbor 
could  be  seen  by  the  light  of  flames  that  shot  from 
their  sides,  so  incessant  had  the  firing  become. 

Powerful  blows  were  being  struck  the  Oroya  on  the 
top  and  sides  of  her  armor;  they  resounded  through 
the  shell  like  the  blows  of  a  trip  hammer  in  a  great 
factory,  only  they  were  not  regular,  coming  at  inter- 
vals, sometimes  a  number  crashing  together.  Cor- 
respondent Hawkins  first  wondered  what  these  strange 
sounds  could  be,  then  at  once  rightly  concluded  that 
they  were  projectiles,  striking  the  protective  sides.  The 
shrieking  of  the  shells  that  did  not  strike  grew  louder ; 
some  of  those  that  did  fall  on  the  hard  steel  burst  and 
added  to  the  din;  others  splashed  into  the  water;  as 
yet  none  had  penetrated  the  armor  plate. 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  2.21 

"Fire  at  will!"  called  the  admiral,  for  they  were  in 
the  thick  of  it. 

'Turn  on  all  lights !"  shouted  Captain  Crane,  for 
there  was  no  longer  need  to  mask  the  battle-ship. 

The  hoarse  megaphone  tones  repeated  the  com- 
mands, carrying  the  words  above  the  uproar,  and  the 
Oroya  became  as  light  as  day. 

The  short  dash  was  over.  The  great  Peruvian 
battle-ship  was  in  the  midst  of  the  combined  British 
and  Chilean  fleets.  The  wonderful  floating  battery, 
the  result  of  years  of  labor  and  of  study,  was  at  last 
in  position  to  make  possible  the  fulfillment  of  the  vow 
made  by  the  brothers  Garcia  to  the  Inca. 

Those  sailors  on  the  gun-deck !  They  were  working 
like  mad,  swinging  the  ammunition  hoists,  turning  the 
screw^s  and  bending  the  levers  that  worked  the  training 
gear,  throwing  open  breeches  and  pushing  in  shells, 
closing  the  breeches  and  locking  them,  dashing  to  the 
breeches  again  even  as  the  great  pieces  were  fired,  dis- 
regarding all  injunctions  concerning  prevention  of  ear 
drum  rupture.  For  years  they  had  looked  forward  to 
this  encounter,  there  had  been  daily  recital  of  what  it 
would  be ;  they  had  been  magnetized  by  their  admiral 
with  a  hatred  for  the  Chileans  and  for  all  others  who 
stood  in  the  path  of  Incaland's  march.  To  port,  to 
starboard  and  ahead  the  great  guns  were  fired  so 
incessantly  that  it  was  a  continuous  roar.  Fifteen- 
inch  and  sixteen-inch  shells  were  hurled  into  the  night 
and  most  of  them  found  lodgment,  for  the  enemy 
seemed  everywhere. 

The  Sampson  lay  to  starboard,  the  Adele  to  port; 


224  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

astern  was  the  Chilean  Blanco  Encalada.  Three  ships 
were  lying  off  the  bow,  but  these  and  the  Blanco  did 
not  dare  fire,  for  fear  of  hitting  one  another,  and  they 
tried  to  get  out  of  the  way.  But  one  of  them,  the 
Ministre  Zenteno,  wa^  struck  square  amidships  by  a 
sixteen-inch  shell  from  the  Oroya,  which  exploded  the 
magazine,  and  the  Chilean  ship  burst  into  flame  and 
ran  foul  of  a  sister  cruiser,  and  the  two  drifted  in  con- 
fusion. 

The  din  within  the  shell  of  the  Peruvian  battle-ship 
had  by  this  time  become  infernal.  Crash  followed 
crash,  as  though  lightning  bolts  were  falling  within 
the  space  of  a  few  feet,  and  the  noise  was  so"  terrific 
that  no  man's  voice  could  be  heard.  The  men  sweated 
and  toiled  like  mad  at  the  ammunition  hoists  and  the 
breeches.  One  man  would  swing  a  fifteen-inch  shell 
while  in  this  frenzy  that  six  would  ordinarily  handle. 
They  pushed  and  jostled  one  another  in  their  eager- 
ness to  load  the  pieces.  As  gun  breeches  were  opened 
black  fumes  poured  forth.  It  was  oily  and  sticky  and 
as  it  settled  over  the  sailors  grimy  particles  mingled 
with  the  perspiration  that  steamed  from  their  pores 
and  trickled  down  their  bare  chests  and  backs  to  the 
w^aist  lines.  The  fog-horn  megaphone  could  not  now  be 
heard,  but  there  was  no  use  for  it.  The  order,  "fire  at 
will,"  was  being  obeyed,  and  none  other  would  have 
been  heeded  had  anyone  wished  to  give  it. 

How  the  news  spread  from  the  conning  tower  to  the 
men  at  the  guns  that  the  English  battle-ship  Cicero 
had  been  sunk  no  one  could  tell.    But  it  did  spread, 


d  « 

<  .^ 

O  M 

a  - 

as  > 

<  ^ 

(/3 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  225 

and  a  cheer  that  was  heard  above  the  crashes  came 
from  the  toiling,  sweating  crew. 

That  sixteen-inch  gun  had  done  it !  When  the  wound 
was  inflicted  none  could  tell.  But  from  the  conning 
tower  they  saw  the  12,000  tons  of  steel  lurch  heavily  by 
the  bow,  then  slowly  go  down,  and  they  could  see  men 
jumping  into  the  water;  but  this  time  no  boats  were 
called  away,  no  rescue  work  was  attempted:  no,  the 
great  guns  kept  up  their  crashing  and  the  shells  their 
screeching  and  crushing.  The  Cicero  had  been  struck 
between  wdnd  and  water,  the  sixteen-inch  shell  had 
torn  a  great  hole,  had  burst  and  enlarged  it,  and  the 
water  had  poured  in. 

But  while  the  men  cheered  on  the  Oroya  some  of 
them  fell  dead,  for  a  shell  from  the  Sampson  entered  a 
gun  port,  glanced  along  the  great  piece  and  burst.  It 
destroyed  the  training  gear,  killed  a  dozen  sailors  and 
an  officer,  and  wounded  a  score  or  more  of  the  crew. 

The  surgeon  ran  into  the  bloody,  steaming  mass, 
and  knelt  rapidly  by  the  side  of  body  after  body.  His 
assistants  carried  away  such  as  he  ordered  taken  below. 
The  others,  those  for  whom  he  could  do  nothing,  were 
left  dying  there — and  the  fight  went  on. 

To  port  there  was  a  terrific  explosion,  and  even  as 
the  Avita  was  hurled  in  air  so  could  those  in  the  con- 
ning tower  of  the  Peruvian  flag-ship  see  another  tor- 
pedo-boat rise  above  water  and  then  see  human  bodies 
twist  and  squirm  as  they  were  carried  up  by  the  whirl- 
ing, seething  water. 

"Well  caught  by  the  Pisco  !"  screamed  Admiral  Gar- 


226  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

cia,  for  only  by  screaming  could  he  be  heard.  'That 
boat  was  under  our  stern!"  he  added. 

He  turned  to  look  to  starboard,  reeled  and  fell  from 
the  platform.  Captain  Crane  jumped  to  the  side  of  his 
commander  and,  lifting  him,  placed  him  in  a  chair. 
In  doing  so  he  had  to  push  to  one  side  the  lifeless 
body  of  Ensign  Romero,  for  the  shell  that  had  struck 
the  commander-in-chief  a  glancing  blow  had  killed 
the  junior  officer.  A  surgeon,  detailed  for  duty  in  the 
tower,  applied  restoratives  and  the  admiral  was  soon 
on  his  feet.  Blood  trickled  down  his  cheek  from  a 
wound  just  above  the  temple. 

The  bay  was  now  a  glare  of  light,  for  many  ships 
were  on  fire.  The  hill  batteries  were  vomiting  forth 
flame  and  shells,  but  in  the  confusion  these  shore  guns 
did  as  much  injury  to  friend  as  to  foe.  Another  shell 
had  burst  on  the  Oroya  and  more  men  lay  dead.  Fire 
had  also  started  and  a  gun's  crew  had  been  called  away 
to  fight  the  enemy  that  threatened  from  within. 

The  ships  were  becoming  scattered,  their  fire  was 
growing  more  uncertain  every  moment.  Flames 
were  seen  on  the  Sampson  now;  she  was  so  close 
to  the  Oroya  that  the  heat  of  them  could  be  felt 
and  men  could  be  seen  jumping  through  the  fiery  fur- 
nace into  the  water,  where  they  drowned.  And  so  to 
port  and  to  starboard  ships  that  had  been  the  pride  of 
two  navies  were  staggering,  yet  plying  their  guns 
when  they  could.  And  the  Oroya  kept  her  great  guns 
going,  but  with  not  quite  the  vim  as  at  first,  for  one 
crew  was  fighting  fire  and  portions  of  two  other  crews 
lay  dead.    Lying  in  the  conning  tower  was  the  body  of 


Three  Fleets  in  Action  227 

Ensign  Romero,  for  there  had  been  no  time  to  remove 
it. 

Hawkins  closed  his  eyes  to  shut  out  the  horrible 
sights,  and  as  he  did  so  he  heard  Admiral  Garcia  ex- 
claim :  "Crane,  they  have  struck ;  Mr.  Cordero,  signal 
the  fleet  to  come  in,"  then  there  was  a  crash  and  all 
became  black  for  him. 

The  correspondent  awoke  to  find  himself  reclining 
on  a  steamer  chair,  near  the  admiral's  cabin.  It 
was  morning  and  the  sun  was  an  hour  high.  The 
Oroya's  sides  were  down  and  her  great  guns  had  dis- 
appeared. She  was  anchored  in  Valparaiso  harbor, 
close  in  shore,  and  near  her  rolled  the  other  vessels  of 
the  fleet,  all  except  the  Avita. 

Five  hulks,  that  the  night  before  had  been  warships, 
were  smoldering  near,  the  flames  having  been  extin- 
guished after  hours  of  labor.  On  other  vessels  Peru- 
vian ensigns  flew  from  gaf¥s  where  British  or  Chilean 
flags  had  floated  the  day  before. 

Admiral  Garcia,  pale  of  face  and  haggard  of  eye, 
for  he  had  been  without  sleep  for  two  nights,  ap- 
proached the  newspaper  correspondent  and  asked  him 
how  he  felt. 

Hawkins  saw  that  the  commander-in-chief  wore  a 
bandage  over  his  right  temple,  and  then  the  terrible 
scenes  of  the  night  all  came  back  to  him.  He  shud- 
dered and  said  feebly:    "Then  we  have  won?" 

*'Yes,  we  have  won.  And  you  had  a  close  call,  old 
man.  A  shell  that  killed  poor  Cordero  took  off  part 
of  your  scalp." 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

OFF   FOR   THE   ATLANTIC. 

''Occupation  of  territory  is  not  desired.  Restora- 
tion to  Peru  of  the  Province  of  Tarapaca  is  demanded. 
Failure  to  comply  with  these  terms  will  result  in  the 
bombardment  and  complete  destruction  of  Valpar- 
aiso. Your  government  will  be  given  until  noon 
to  consider  the  ultimatum." 

''Sir,"  repHed  the  captain-of-the-port,  who  was 
spokesman  for  the  party  that  had  visited  the  flag-ship, 
"we  cannot  act  without  conference  with  Santiago,  and 
telegraphic  communication  has  been  interrupted  since 
yesterday  evening." 

"You  will  find  the  land  wire  in  perfect  working 
order,"  said  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia.  "The  embargo 
on  messages  of  an  internecine  nature  was  removed  two 
hours  ago  and  only  foreign  dispatches  are  withheld 
until  affairs  are  settled.  You  should  have  no  difficulty 
conferring  with  the  President  and  the  Congress  and 
securing  a  definite  reply  before  noon,  for  it  is  not  yet 
eight  o'clock.  No  excuse  you  may  offer  wdll  avert  the 
bombardment  of  Valparaiso  if  our  terms  are  not  com- 
plied with  by  the  hour  stipula.ted." 

This  visit  to  the  Oroya  by  the  Chileans  was  the 
sequel  to  the  surrender  of  the  early  morning.  The 
Chilean  navy  was  represented  by  the  rear  admiral  of 
the  fleet,  and  the  captain-of-the-port  spoke  for  the 
city's  interests.    Both  were  accompanied  by  their  suites 

228 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  229 

and  fully  a  dozen  officers  were  bowed  over  the  side  by 
the  officer  of  the  deck  when  Admiral  Garcia's  ultima- 
tum had  been  given.  The  British  were  not  repre- 
sented, because  such  of  their  ships  as  had  not  been 
sunk  were  in  possession  of  the  Peruvians  and  there  was 
no  question  for  negotiation,  Admiral  Garcia  having 
assured  Lord  Harvey  that  his  officers  and  men  w^ould 
be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Soon  after  the  Chilean  officers  had  left  the  flag-ship 
the  torpedo-boat  Mercedes  was  ordered  back  to  the 
telegraph  junction  above — Vina  del  Mar.  A  staff 
officer  was  a  passenger  and  he  carried  messages  for 
transmission  over  the  cable.  In  addition  to  govern- 
ment dispatches  from  the  commander-in-chief  he  was 
given  a  short  account  of  the  battle,  written  at  Corres- 
pondent Hawkins'  dictation,  for  the  American  had 
recovered  sufficiently  from  his  wound  to  attend  to  his 
duty  with  the  aid  of  the  admiral's  secretary  as  an 
amanuensis.  One  dispatch,  which  the  staft  officer  was 
instructed  to  send  immediately  upon  arrival,  was  ad- 
dressed to  Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia,  President  of  Peru. 
It  read : 

^'Viva  Incaland!  Combined  -fleets  shattered, 
British  surrendered.  Chilean  surrender  held  in  abey- 
ance until  Tarapaca  is  ceded.  Avita,  officers  and  crew, 
destroyed  by  explosion.  We  also  mourn  Cordero  and 
Romero,  and  thirty-five  other  heroes.  Complete  list 
of  dead  and  wounded  later.    Viva  Incaland! 

Louis" 

"We  had  better  seek  a  few  hours'  rest,  Carey,"  said 
the  admiral,  as  the  Mercedes  darted    away    on    her 


230  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

twenty-mile  run.  ''You  will  do  more  effective  work 
after  having  slept." 

"Can  I  send  another  message?" 

"Yes.  We  will  not  up  anchor  much  before  three 
o'clock,  even  if  the  Chileans  come  to  our  terms.  The 
Maria  or  the  Mercedes  will  make  another  run  to  the 
junction  just  before  we  sail." 

Both  men  were  haggard  and  pale,  their  cheeks  were 
sunken,  dark  lines  were  beneath  their  eyes,  and  they 
staggered  as  they  walked,  for  it  was  difficult  for  them 
to  keep  their  feet  since  being  wounded  in  the  conning 
tower.  Hawkins  had  left  the  steamer  chair  once  that 
morning,  visiting  the  dining  room  for  a  few  minutes. 
Fleet  commander  and  correspondent  had  suffered 
much  from  the  loss  of  blood.  The  heads  of  both  were 
swathed  in  bandages,  which  the  surgeon  had  renewed 
an  hour  before,  when  he  again  remarked  the  narrow 
escape  they  had  had  from  death. 

It  had  been  a  great  victory. 

Listed  heavily  to  port,  off  Fort  Bueras,  was  the 
English  battle-ship  Sampson,  Lord  Harvey's  flag-ship. 
Her  charred  deck-works  were  evidence  of  the  fire  that 
had  raged  on  board  until  a  crew  from  the  cruiser 
Tambovisa  had  fought  down  the  flames.  Two  of  her 
12-inch  guns  were  dismounted,  a  portion  of  her 
conning  tower  had  been  carried  away,  and  of  her  crew 
it  was  reported  that  twelve  officers  and  fifty  men  had 
been  killed,  and  twice  as  many  wounded.  Among  the 
latter  was  Lord  Harvey,  whose  hurt  was  so  grievous 
that  he  had  been  taken  ashore  to  the  marine  hospital 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  231 

in  Valparaiso,  permission  having  been  granted  by  the 
Peruvian  commander-in-chief,  whose  prisoners  the 
British  were  by  right  of  war. 

A  half  mile  to  the  east  of  the  Sampson,  and  some- 
what further  out  in  the  bay,  three  top-masts  showed 
above  the  water.  They  marked  the  Cicero,  the  ship 
that  had  ranked  second  of  the  combined  fleets.  Many 
of  her  men  had  been  rescued  by  small  boats  that  had 
been  let  fall  when  the  order  to  abandon  ship  had  been 
given.  Some  had  jumped  over  the  side  and  a  few  of 
these  were  drowned  in  effort  to  reach  shore.  The  cap- 
tain was  dragged  from  the  bridge  of  his  sinking  ship 
by  a  faithful  marine,  was  captured  by  a  boat's  crew 
from  the  Chorillos,  and  made  a  prisoner. 

The  third  ship  of  the  British  squadron,  the  Adele, 
was  on  the  beach  near  Vina  del  Mar.  Early  in  the 
engagement  a  shell  had  burst  on  her  counter  and  had 
destroyed  her  steering  gear,  so  that  she  had  drifted 
helplessly  with  the  in-coming  tide.  She  had  received 
no  other  injury,  the  beach  where  she  struck  being 
sand,  and  already  Captain  Biggs,  of  the  Chosica,  who 
had  been  detailed  to  superintend  salvage  work,  had 
formed  a  plan  to  float  her  at  the  next  flood  tide.  The 
shell  had  not  done  much  damage  on  deck,  and  but  half 
a  dozen  men  on  the  cruiser  had  been  wounded  and 
none  killed. 

Of  the  Chilean  fleet,  the  Blanco  Encalada  had  fared 
the  worst.  Fifty  of  her  men  had  been  killed  and  nearly 
all  the  officers  were  either  dead  or  wounded.  Such 
havoc  had  been  wrought  among  the  crew  that  barge 
load  after  barge  load  of  sailors  had  been  taken  ashore 


232  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

for  treatment  at  the  marine  hospital.  Two  of  the 
Oroya's  1 6-inch  shells  had  burst  amidships  within  a 
few  minutes  of  one  another.  They  had  destroyed  the 
funnels,  broken  the  gun  shields,  dented  the  sponsons, 
made  of  the  superstructure  a  tangled  mass  of  iron  and 
wood,  perforated  the  conning  tower  and  dismounted 
two  of  the  Blanco's  ii-inch  and  five  of  her  5-inch 
guns. 

The  Almirante  Cochrane  and  the  Capitan  Pratt  had 
been  in  collision.  The  former  became  unmanageable 
soon  after  the  first  gun  fire,  had  run  into  the  Pratt,  and 
the  two  had  drifted  to  the  lower  end  of  the  bay  before 
the  crew  of  the  latter  could  disengage  their  ship. 
Flames  were  flashing  from  the  hold  of  the  Cochrane 
all  this  time  and  the  Pratt's  crew  were  kept  busy  fight- 
ing fire  as  well  as  endeavoring  to  free  themselves  from 
the  rudderless  vessel.  When  they  were  finally  clear  it 
was  necessary  that  they  should  aid  their  brother  mari- 
ners in  extinguishing  the  flames  on  the  Cochrane,  so 
the  engagement  in  the  bay  had  come  to  an  end  before 
the  Pratt  could  re-enter  the  thick  of  it.  She  was 
therefore  in  the  best  condition  of  any  of  the  opposing 
ships,  not  having  lost  a  man.  Two  had  been  wounded, 
but  they  were  not  hit  by  anything  the  Oroya  had  fired. 
Their  hurts  were  received  later,  when  the  Pratt  at- 
tempted to  steal  out  of  the  harbor,  just  before  day- 
break, and  had  run  into  Admiral  Padre's  squadron  of 
cruisers,  just  then  closing  in.  One  shell  that  struck 
on  the  starboard  side  sufficed  to  stop  the  Pratt  and 
flying  splinters  wounded  two  of  her  men. 

The  O'Higgins  had  been   sunk.     She   went   down 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  233 

slowly  a  half  hour  after  the  engagement  began. 
She  was  struck  by  a  wild  shot  from  the  Oroya, 
for  the  Chilean  corvette  was  never  in  the  thick  of  the 
fight,  having  been  stationed  by  Lord  Harvey  half  a 
mile  to  a  mile  from  the  main  fleet  before  the  action 
commenced.  None  of  her  men  had  been  lost  and  she 
had  settled  in  such  shallow  water  that  her  bridge 
showed  and  it  was  believed  she  could  be  easily  floated. 

One  of  the  two  torpedo-boats,  the  Almirante  Con- 
dell  and  the  Almirante  Lynch,  was  left  above  water. 
The  former  had  been  destroyed  by  a  shell  from  the 
Payta.  It  was  not  known  what  had  become  of  her 
crew.  The  majority  had  certainly  perished ;  a  few  had 
perhaps  escaped  by  swimming  ashore  or  had  been 
picked  up  by  the  small  boats  that  had  patroled  the 
harbor  after  the  engagement,  searching  for  such  unfor- 
tunates as  might  be  struggling  in  the  water.  In  this 
early  morning  confusion  it  was  impossible  to  tell  what 
had  happened,  beyond  the  story  of  devastation  con- 
veyed by  the  eye  and  the  few  meager  reports  that  had 
been  made  to  the  commander-in-chief. 

The  Magellanes,  hardly  recognizable,  was  on  the 
beach.  She  had  caught  fire  and  had  been  run  ashore. 
The  flames  ate  into  her  forward  ammunition  hold,  and 
an  explosion  split  her  in  twain  amidships.  Before 
this  her  crew  had  escaped,  so  it  was  reported. 

The  Almirante  Molinas  had  re-entered  the  bay  as  a 
part  of  the  flying  squadron.  She  was  in  good  condi- 
tion, as  was  reported  by  Vice-Admiral  Padre  soon 
after  her  capture  the  night  before. 

Close  in  shore,  near  Fort  Bueras,  was  the  wreck  of 


234  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  Almirante  Simpson.  It  was  said  she  had  suffered 
by  the  misdirected  fire  from  the  shore  batteries.  No 
report  had  been  made  of  the  loss  of  Hfe  on  board. 

The  Ministre  Zenteno,  as  previously  related,  was 
sunk  during  the  engagement.  The  same  fate  had  be- 
fallen the  Ministre  Zangara,  and  as  yet  no  estimate  had 
been  made  of  the  loss  of  Hfe  on  either. 

At  9  o'clock  that  morning,  when  the  sweet  chimes 
of  the  monastery  bells  rang  out  as  they  had  on  the 
evening  before,  a  funeral  procession  wound  its  way 
from  the  old  quarter  of  the  seacoast  city  to  the  ceme- 
tery on  the  hill.  The  Chileans  had  begun  to  bury  their 
dead.  At  the  same  hour  the  barge  Valeria  put  off  from 
the  flag-ship  and  went  out  to  sea,  where  the  water  was 
so  deep  that  no  anchor  chain  could  reach.  On  a  plat- 
form constructed  in  her  bow  rested  the  bodies  of  the 
Peruvian  officers  and  sailors  who  had  been  killed  dur- 
ing the  engagement.  Each  was  wrapped  in  a  red,  white 
and  red  ensign.  As  the  barge  started  a  gun  was  fired  on 
the  Payta  and  each  minute  during  the  next  hour  the 
solemn  signals  of  mourning  boomed  forth  from  the 
battle-ship.  All  flags  were  at  half  mast  in  the  bay. 
A  priest  sat  in  the  Valeria's  stern  sheets,  and  beside 
him  were  the  line  officers  of  the  Oroya.  The  priest 
wore  the  uniform  of  a  captain ;  he  was  the  fleet  chap- 
lain of  the  Peruvian  navy.  When  ten  miles  from  shore 
the  barge  was  stopped  and  she  rolled  lightly  in  the 
trough  of  the  sun-glinted  seas.  The  chaplain  stepped 
forward;  the  officers  accompanied  him,  bare-headed. 
Round  shot  had  been  fastened  to  the  feet  of  each  body. 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  235 

A  short  prayer  was  said,  a  plank  was  tipped,  and  a 
body  plunged  over  the  side  and  down  into  the  blue 
water.  Eddies  formed  above  the  spot  where  it  dis- 
appeared. And  so,  one  by  one,  they  were  all  given 
burial  at  sea,  as  all  had  wished,  for  none  had  cared  to 
be  interred  on  Chilean  soil. 

Then  back  to  the  harbor  sped  the  Valeria,  the  min- 
ute guns  ceased  booming  on  the  Payta  and  ensigns 
were  hoisted  again,  for  it  was  a  day  of  victory. 

Not  so  on  shore.  The  lone  star  flags  remained  at 
half  mast;  processions  toward  the  cemetery  became 
more  numerous ;  sorrow  reigned. 

Besides  being .  a  day  of  victory,  there  were  other 
reasons  why  there  should  be  no  continued  display  of 
mourning  that  day  by  the  Peruvian  fleet.  There  was 
work  to  be  done.  Hardly  had  the  great  guns  on  the 
Oroya  become  cool  when  machinists  were  sent  below 
to  repair  the  training-gear  of  the  15-inch  gun  that 
had  been  partly  dismounted  and  to  do  other  necessary 
work.  The  mechanism  of  the  conning  tower  had  been 
affected  by  the  shells  that  had  burst  and  repairs  were 
needed  there. 

Meamvhile  there  was  great  activity  close  inshore. 
The  torpedo-boats  and  the  captured  Almirante 
Molinas  had  been  ordered  to  report  to  Captain  Biggs 
at  seven  bells,  a  half  hour  before  floodtide,  and  a  haw- 
ser was  passed  from  them  to  the  British  ship  Adele. 
As  the  minutes  approached  when  the  tide  was  on  the 
turn  the  signal,  "All  together,"  was  given,  and  yield- 
ing to  the  pressure  of  the  powerful  longitudinal 
screws  of  the  Peruvian  ships  the  cruiser  that  had  been 


236  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

beached  during  the  engagement  sHpped  as  gracefully 
as  from  the  ways  in  a  dock  yard  into  the  water,  and 
was  towed  out  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  where  anchor  was 
dropped.  Then  another  red,  white  and  red  ensign 
was  hoisted,  and  another  prize  was  added  to  the  fleet. 
Meanwhile  a  board  of  officers,  acting  under  orders 
from  Captain  Biggs,  had  visited  such  ships  as  it  was 
thought  might  be  saved  and  had  held  surveys. 

A  few  minutes  before  noon  the  officer  of  the  deck  on 
the  Oroya  sent  word  to  Captain  Crane  that  a  state 
barge  was  putting  off  from  the  mole.  As  the  bells  of 
the  fleet  sounded  the  hour  this  barge  pulled  alongside 
the  flag-ship  and  a  distinguished  party  came  on  board. 
It  could  be  seen  that  a  person  higher  in  rank  than  the 
captain  of  the  port  or  the  rear  admiral  of  the  Chilean 
fleet  was  among  the  number,  and  a  moment  later  he 
was  presented  to  Captain  Crane  as  the  Chilean  secre- 
tary of  state. 

"You  desire  to  see  the  admiral,  of  course?"  said  the 
Oroya's  commander.  ''Step  this  way,  and  I  will  send 
him  word,"  and  he  conducted  them  to  the  cabin. 

There  they  waited  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  for 
Admiral  Garcia  had  given  instructions  that  no  one 
disturb  him  until  it  became  absolutely  necessary. 
When  he  at  last  entered  the  room,  enemy  as  well  as 
friend  arose  and  saluted.  The  effect  of  his  appearance 
was  electrical.  Never  before  had  the  greatness  of  the 
Incas  been  so  manifest  in  a  gathering  of  modern  days. 
Admiral  Garcia  towered  above  the  men  gathered  in 
his  cabin ;  he  was  their  superior  in  every  respect  and 
they  recognized  it.     He  represented  a  race  of  men 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  237 

once  as  great  as  any  that  ever  lived,  a  race  that 
had  now  been  born  again ;  and  the  meagre  information 
the  cable  had  flashed  was  confirmed  by  his  appearance. 
He  represented  Power — an  unknown  power,  as  typi- 
fied by  his  fleet — and  they  bowed  to  him. 

"Have  our  conditions  been  accepted?"  he  asked, 
upon  entering  the  room. 

"May  I  request  you  to  state  them  for  my  benefit, 
sir?"  replied  the  secretary  of  state. 

"They  should  have  been  readily  remembered  by 
your  representative,"  was  the  admiral's  reply,  motion- 
ing to  the  captain-of-the-port.  "Chile  is  to  restore  to 
Peru  the  Province  of  Tarapaca.  Peru  is  to  retain  the 
ships  captured  during  last  night's  engagement;  the 
prisoners  to  be  at  once  given  their  liberty." 

"The  terms  will  be  acceded  to,  sir ;  we  bow  to  your 
superior  force." 

"You  are  ready  to  sign  the  papers?" 

"Ready  and  empowered.  And  you,  sir ;  would  you 
kindly  permit  me  to  see  your  authorization  from  the 
Congress  of  Peru?" 

For  reply  Admiral  Garcia  stepped  to  his  desk  and 
took  therefrom  a  parchment,  which  he  presented  to  the 
Chilean  secretary  of  state.  After  perusing  the  docu- 
ment that  official  drew  his  chair  to  the  desk  and  taking 
some  papers  from  his  pocket  dipped  a  pen  in  ink. 

A  minute  later  duplicate  copies  of  a  treaty  of  peace 
between  Peru  and  Chile  had  been  signed,  and  there 
was  restored  to  Peru  the  Province  of  Tarapaca,  which 
had  been  seized  during  the  war  of  1879.  Moreover, 
the  Peruvian  navy  had  been  increased  by  such  vessels 


238  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

as  had  remained  above  water  after  the  engagement  of 
the  night ;  and  the  Huascar  and  the  Pilcomayo  were 
on  their  way  North. 

When  the  conference  was  at  an  end  the  Chileans 
were  shown  over  the  side  with  the  honors  due  their 
rank,  for  by  the  terms  of  the  treaty  they  had  become 
friends  instead  of  foes. 

The  American  correspondent  entered  the  cabin  soon 
after  the  visitors  had  gone. 

"Did  you  rest  well,  Carey?"  asked  the  admiral. 

*'Yes ;  and  I  feel  much  refreshed.  Has  anything 
happened  ?" 

"The  Chileans  have  agreed  to  our  terms." 

"What  is  your  next  move  ?" 

"That  will  depend  entirely  upon  advices  from 
Lima." 

At  that  moment  an  orderly  announced :  "Com- 
mander Alviraz,  sir!" 

"Ah !  the  captain  of  the  Mercedes !  Tell  him  to  come 
in,  orderly." 

The  commander  of  the  torpedo-boat  entered  the 
room.  "Mr.  Sanguilla  was  detained  at  the  junction, 
sir,"  said  he ;  "and  I  have  brought  messages  that  were 
deemed  of  great  importance,"  and  he  handed  some 
slips  of  paper  to  the  commander-in-chief.  The  latter 
read  them  hastily  and  a  red  glow  mantled  to  his 
cheeks. 

"Captain  Alviraz,"  he  said,  "return  at  once  to  the 
junction  with  this  message,"  and  he  hastily  penned 
these  few  lines : 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  239 

*'Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia, 

''President  of  Peru,  Lima', 
'We  will  sail  at  2  o'clock  for  the  Atlantic.    Keep 
the  destination  of  the  Heet  secret.  Louis." 

"Take  on  board  my  flag  officer  and  such  marines 
as  have  been  stationed  there,"  continued  the  admiral, 
"and  at  once  rejoin  the  fleet." 

Summoning  an  orderly,  as  the  captain  of  the  tor- 
pedo-boat left,  the  admiral  sent  word  to  the  com- 
mander of  the  Oroya  that  he  desired  his  presence  in 
the  cabin. 

"Ah,  Captain  Crane,"  he  exclaimed,  when  the  officer 
entered,  "I  have  not  yet  appointed  a  flag  lieutenant  to 
succeed  poor  Cordero.  Will  you  have  one  of  the  line 
officers  signal  the  fleet — all  the  ships  except  the 
Chosica — to  be  ready  to  sail  at  4  bells.  And  signal 
Captain  Biggs  to  report  on  board  the  flag-ship  for 
orders." 

When  Captain  Crane  had  gone  the  admiral  handed 
the  correspondent  the  telegrams  he  had  received,  say- 
ing :    "Read  them  and  you  will  understand." 

Hawkins  glanced  over  one  slip  of  paper,  then  the 
other.    The  first  read  : 

"Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia, 

"Admiral  Commanding  the  Peruvian  Navy,  oif 
Valparaiso: 
"All  Peru  rejoices.    Bells  are  ringing  and  guns  are 
firing  in  Lima  and  Callao.    Viva  IncalandT 


240  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

The  second : 

"Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia, 

"Admiral  Commanding  the  Peruvian  iieet,  oif 
Valparaiso: 

''Cable  advices  received  to  the  effect  that  England 
has  ordered  the  departure  of  the  Channel  and  the 
Mediterranean  squadrons,  with  instructions  to  inter- 
cept and  destroy  our  navy.     Viva  Incaland! 

'Tedro." 

'Then  you  are  going " 

'We  are  going  to  meet  the  British  fleet/'  inter- 
rupted the  Peruvian  admiral. 

Twenty  minutes  later  Captain  Biggs  was  seated  in 
the  Oroya's  cabin. 

"You  will  remain  here  in  charge  of  the  salvage 
work,"  said  Admiral  Garcia.  ''Within  the  hour  let 
me  know  the  number  of  officers  and  men  that  you  will 
require,  and  they  will  be  assigned  to  you  from  the 
ships  of  the  fleet.  The  Chosica  will  be  your  flag-ship. 
You  have  the  Almirante  Molinas,  the  Adele,  the  Capi- 
tan  Pratt  and  the  Lynch  in  nearly  perfect  condition. 
The  Sampson  can  be  patched  for  the  trip  to  Callao  and 
can  be  towed  there,  if  she  is  unable  to  go  under  her  own 
steam.  The  Blanco  Encalada  will  probably  have  to  be 
towed.  The  Almirante  Cochrane  seems  to  be  a  total 
wreck  and  it  would  be  well  to  abandon  her.  Com- 
mence work  on  such  of  the  smaller  ships  as  you  be- 
lieve can  be  prepared  for  sea  within  five  days,  but 
abandon  the  others,  except  the  O'Higgins.  A  wreck- 
ing party  can  remain  and  work  on  her.  By  the  end 
of  the  week  set  sail  for  Callao  with  your  squadron,  and 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  241 

upon  arrival  there  report  to  Captain  Heatherton  of  the 
Miraflores." 

The  terse,  implicit  instructions  having  been  received, 
Captain  Biggs  left  the  flag-ship,  first  bidding  good-bye 
to  the  commander-in-chief,  his  brother  officers  and 
the  newspaper  correspondent.  As  he  left  the  deck  he 
promised  the  latter  to  send  a  barge  alongside  a  few- 
minutes  before  the  time  for  the  Oroya  to  get  under 
way  and  take  such  late  dispatches  as  might  be  ready 
for  transmission  to  New  York. 

There  was  little  to  do  before  sailing.  The  coal  sup- 
ply, owing  to  the  large  bunker  capacity  and  the  smoke- 
consuming  devices,  showed  scarcely  any  diminution. 
Each  ship  had  a  refrigerating  apparatus  and  provisions 
could  be  kept  an  indefinite  period.  So  the  order  to 
sail  was  not  followed  by  the  activity  one  would  have 
supposed,  when  the  long  voyage  about  to  be  under- 
taken was  considered.  Several  boats  plied  between 
the  Chosica  and  other  ships  of  the  fleet  when  it  became 
known  that  the  cruiser  had  been  ordered  to  remain 
behind,  and  officers  who  were  going  exchanged  fare- 
wells with  those  who  were  destined  to  remain  on  the 
Pacific  coast. 

Promptly  at  2  o'clock,  the  torpedo-boat  Mercedes, 
having  rejoined  the  fleet,  the  order  to  sail  was  hoisted 
on  the  flag-ship  and  the  Peruvian  vessels  in  two-squad- 
ron formation,  as  on  the  night  before,  stood  out  of  the 
bay,  and  the  guns  of  the  Chosica  sounded  a  salute  as 
the  flag-ship  rounded-to  across  her  bows.  The  fleet 
was  smaller  by  three  ships  than  the  fleet  which  en- 
tered Callao  Bay  on  the  sixth  of  the  month,  and  was 


242  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

smaller  by  two  vessels  than  the  fleet  which  had  ap- 
peared off  Valparaiso  the  evening  before.  For  the 
Miraflores  was  at  Callao,  the  Chosica  was  stationed 
in  Valparaiso  harbor  and  the  Avita  had  been  destroyed. 
The  following  were  the  vessels,  flying  the  red,  white 
and  red,  that  steamed  out  from  the  Chilean  shore,  then 
shaped  a  course  to  the  southward : 


BATTLESHIPS. 

Oroya,  flag-ship. 

Payta,  Chorillos,  Pisco. 

CRUISERS. 

Matucana,         Tambovisa,         Mejillones,         Arica. 

TORPEDO-BOATS. 
Anita.       Maria,       Madelene,       Rosita,       Mercedes. 

"Why  did  you  not  make  some  of  the  captured  ves- 
sels part  of  the  fleet?"  asked  Hawkins  as  they  were 
standing  on  the  bridge,  looking  toward  the  shore  line, 
which  was  fast  becoming  a  blue  haze  astern. 

"The  speed  of  a  squadron  is  the  speed  of  the  slow- 
est ship,"  replied  Admiral  Louis.  "The  engagement 
with  the  British  will  be  in  the  open  sea,  where  our 
speed  will  be  the  main  factor.  A  slow  ship  would 
handicap  us  greatly,  to  use  a  racing  expression." 

The  land  was  soon  lost  in  the  distance,  a  soft  wind 
blew  from  off  shore,  bringing  fragrance  from  foliage. 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  243 

The  vessels  of  the  Peruvian  fleet  rolled  majestically  as 
they  steamed  at  twenty-five-knot  speed,  bound  for  the 
Straits  of  Magellan. 

When  the  fleet  had  been  two  hours  at  sea  Admiral 
Garcia  signalled  for  the  formation  of  three  squadrons, 
pursuant  to  instructions  he  had  issued  before  leaving 
the  harbor.  He  led  the  first  squadron,  which  was  com- 
posed of  battleships.  The  second,  formed  by  the  cruis- 
ers, took  position  under  the  flag  of  Vice-Admiral 
Padre.  The  third,  the  torpedo-boats,  was  under  Com- 
mander Alviraz,who  had  been  made  acting  commodore 
for  the  voyage.  The  squadrons  took  a  distance  apart  of 
two  and  a  half  miles,  and  the  ships  kept  four  to  five 
cables'  length  from  one  another.  Orders  had  been 
issued  concerning  points  at  which  to  meet  should 
separation  be  caused  by  a  gale  or  thick  weather,  and 
there  was  a  date  named,  two  weeks  distant,  for  the 
arrival  of  all  ships  of  the  fleet  at  a  point  southeast  of 
the  West  Indies,  the  exact  location  being  Longitude 
59°  10'  west;  latitude  14°  30'  north,  near  the  island 
of  Barbados. 

The  night  that  followed  the  exciting  day  was  in 
great  contrast  with  the  two  preceding  it,  for  not  a 
cloud  could  be  seen  above  the  horizon.  Sirius  burned 
fiercely  near  the  water's  edge,  the  Southern  Cross 
cast  its  holy  light  from  near  the  zenith,  and  all  the 
heavens  were  aglow  with  constellations.  Steaming 
southwest  at  a  speed  that  was  greater  than  any  ship 
afloat  could  maintain,  yet  at  a  speed  which  could  be 
kept  up  for  a  month  by  these  vessels  built  at  the 
Chincha  Islands,  without  dangerously  reducing  the 


244  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

coal  supply,  the  Peruvian  fleet  swept  on,  to  complete 
the  work  for  which  it  had  been  created. 

That  evening  those  v/ho  could  do  so  turned  in  as 
soon  as  hammocks  were  piped.  It  was  the  first  com- 
plete night's  rest  that  anyone  had  enjoyed  on  board 
since  the  ships  arrived  in  Callao  Bay  from  the  islands, 
for  even  on  the  passage  from  Peru  to  Chile  officers 
and  men  had  been  under  the  strain  of  excitement 
natural  before  a  battle.  A  soft  wind  from  off  shore 
played  through  cabin,  ward  room,  steerage  and  sailors' 
quarters  this  night,  and  it  soothed  to  deep  slumber 
those  who  were  able  to  seek  rest.  The  cool  air  and 
this  refreshing  unconsciousness  were  of  great  benefit 
to  those  who  had  been  wounded,  for  they  had  suffered 
greatly  from  heat  during  the  day  in  Valparaiso  Bay. 
And  those  who  had  not  been  wounded  had  been 
strung  to  such  high  tension  by  the  exciting  events 
and  by  the  great  gun  fire  that  they  needed  the  oblivion 
of  sleep  almost  as  much  as  those  who  had  been  torn 
by  shells.  Admiral  Louis  and  the  correspondent  were 
among  the  first  on  board  to  seek  the  seclusion  of  their 
state-rooms,  and  throughout  the  night,  as  watch  offi- 
cers were  relieved,  lieutenants  and  ensigns  went  below 
to  seek  the  much-needed  repose. 

In  the  morning,  when  all  were  refreshed,  there  was 
again  activity  on  the  flag-ship.  Such  work  as  had 
not  been  done  on  the  guns  the  day  before  was  com- 
menced immediately  after  hammocks  had  been  piped 
away  and  before  noon  the  Oroya  was  reported  in  as 
good  condition  as  she  was  forty-eight  hours  before, 
when  the  Huascar  opened  fire  on  her  thirty  miles  out 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  245 

from  Valparaiso.  By  this  time,  also,  everything  was 
proceeding  in  the  regular  sea  way.  Officers  and  men 
had  settled  down  for  the  long  voyage  that  intervened 
before  they  could  again  be  called  into  action. 

The  surgeon  reported  early  that  all  the  wounded 
were  doing  well.  A  gunner's  mate  had  died  during  the 
night,  but  the  doctor  had  no  reason  to  believe  that 
other  deaths  would  occur.  As  for  Admiral  Louis  and 
Correspondent  Hawkins  the  night's  rest  was  what 
they  had  needed,  and  neither  felt  pain  in  their  wounds 
when  they  sat  down  to  breakfast  in  the  cabin. 

One  who  has  been  at  sea  knows  hov/  time  seems 
to  pass  slowly,  yet  as  the  bells  sound  the  hours,  it  is 
wondered  where  the  minutes  have  gone.  Indolence 
and  procrastination  are  in  the  air,  and  there  is  a  wish 
to  do  nothing  but  what  is  absolutely  necessary.  So 
it  was  on  the  flag-ship,  and  not  until  late  in  the  after- 
noon, when  the  battle  had  been  fought  over  and  over 
again,  did  the  correspondent  open  his  desk  and  begin 
on  the  history  of  the  w^ar  that  he  contemplated  having 
finished  to  date  by  the  time  the  fleet  reached  New  York 
— for  the  admiral  had  told  him  they  would  visit  the 
metropolis  of  the  United  States  as  soon  as  possible 
after  they  met  the  British  squadron. 

In  the  evening  Captain  Crane  and  Lieutenant  San- 
doval, who  had  been  named  flag  officer  to  succeed 
Lieutenant  Cordero,  were  invited  into  the  cabin  and 
several  games  of  whist  were  played.  This  formed  the 
precedent  for  many  evenings  that  followed,  the  same 
party  enjoying  that  game  of  cards  in  which  great  skill 
is  necessary.     And  likewise  the  day  that  had  just 


246  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ended  formed  the  precedent  for  days  that  were  to 
come.  Conversation  in  the  morning  and  siestas  on 
the  wide  bridge;  in  the  afternoon  work  in  the  cabin, 
the  admiral  at  his  fleet  papers  and  studying  books  that 
referred  to  the  enemy  he  expected  to  meet;  the  cor- 
respondent at  his  history,  intended  for  publication  in 
America. 

They  enjoyed  beautiful  weather  during  the  short  run 
down  the  lower  stretch  of  the  Pacific  coast,  and  it  was 
another  bright  starlit  night — the  third  out  from  Val- 
paraiso— when  the  lookout  sighted  Queen  Adelaide 
Island,  which  stands  guard  at  the  western  entrance 
to  the  Straits  of  Magellan.  The  Oroya  led  the  way 
into  the  channel  which  separates  the  mainland  of 
South  America  from  the  island  of  Terra  del  Fuego, 
and  speed  was  reduced  from  twenty-five  to  twenty 
knots  for  the  passage,  a  distance  of  nearly  5,000  miles, 

A  voyage  through  the  Straits  of  Magellan !  Snow- 
capped precipices  rise  to  port  and  to  starboard.  The 
channel  is  often  so  narrow  that  it  seems  as  though  the 
sides  of  a  ship  must  graze  in  passing;  at  places,  that 
which  appears  to  be  a  barrier  is  seen  ahead,  but  on 
nearer  approach  it  proves  to  be  an  island.  The  water 
is  smoother  than  that  of  a  river,  for  there  is  no  cur- 
rent, and  it  is  so  deep  that  it  takes  on  an  indigo  hue. 
The  air  is  cold  and  crisp,  but  not  bitter,  for  the  great 
hills  shut  off  the  wind. 

Those  who  loved  Nature  in  her  glory,  and  they  were 
many  of  the  Oroya's  crew,  lived  on  deck  during  this 
passage  from  Pacific  to  Atlantic,  and  all  were  sorry 
to  see  a  broad  ocean  open  before  them  again  and  know 


Off  for  the  Atlantic  247 

that  the  fleet  must  shape  a  course  for  the  north,  leaving 
the  peaceful  waters  of  the  straits  behind. 

Speed  was  again  increased  to  twenty-five  knots,  for 
it  was  a  round  5,000  miles  to  the  point  that  had  been 
named  as  the  rendezvous,  and  leeway  must  be  allowed 
for  any  detentions  that  might  be  caused  by  heavy 
head  winds. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  GALE. 

"Longitude,  30°  15'  west;  latitude,  15°  20'  south." 
This  report  was  made  by  the  navigating  officer  of 
the  Oroya  to  Captain  Crane  the  morning  of  June  22d, 
and  was  repeated  to  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia.  It  was 
the  result  of  a  dead  reckoning  made  at  eight  bells.  The 
sky  had  been  overcast  since  the  evening  before,  first 
by  scudding  clouds  that  swept  like  cobwebs  over  the 
face  of  the  full  moon,  then  by  heavier  banks  that  rose 
from  the  northwest  horizon  line  and  formed  a  solid 
dome  of  impenetrable  black. 

The  morning  had  opened  with  everything  a  dull 
gray.  There  was  a  fine  drizzle,  almost  a  mist,  which 
hid  the  other  ships  from  view  of  those  on  the  Oroya. 
It  wetted  through  and  through,  and  watch  officers  early 
sent  for  their  oil-skin  coats.  The  deck  glistened  with 
fine  particles  of  moisture  and  the  brass  work  had  the 
appearance  of  being  covered  with  dew.  There  was 
little  wind  and  that  came  in  fitful  gusts,  as  though  off- 
shoots from  a  main  current  of  air.  And  so  with  the 
sea,  which  was  turbulent  and  cross-wavy,  but  not 
high ;  a  sea  that  gave  a  crotchety,  jerky  motion  to  a 
ship  and  caused  the  oldest  sailor  to  stagger  as  he 
walked.  There  was  a  moaning  in  the  air  that  did  not 
come  from  any  particular  point  of  the  compass,  and  if 
asked  one  could  not  have  told  just  where  it  did  come 

248 


The  Gale  249 

from :    but  all  heard  it,  and  the  old  sailor  shook  his 
head  as  his  watch  was  piped  below. 

"It's  a  nasty  morning,  Carey,"  remarked  the  ad- 
miral, soon  after  the  result  of  the  dead  reckoning  had 
been  reported  to  him.  ''We  may  get  some  wind  out 
of  this.    How  is  the  barometer,  captain  ?" 

'Tailing,  sir;  it  has  gone  down  steadily  since  day- 
break." 

Hawkins  went  below  a  few  minutes  later,  to  don  his 
rubber  clothes.  While  in  the  cabin  he  noticed  the 
Oroya's  position,  as  marked  on  the  large  map  of  the 
South  Atlantic  that  hung  on  the  wall,  and  he  saw  that 
they  were  on  a  parallel  with  Bahia,  Brazil. 

The  passage  from  the  straits  to  this  point  had  been 
uneventful  as  compared  with  the  exciting  scenes  they 
had  left  behind.    There  had  been  an  hour's  blow  off 
Montevideo,   during  which  the   Peruvian   ships  had 
demonstrated  their  splendid  sea-going  qualities,  but 
aside   from  this   nothing  had   occurred   to   vary  the 
monotony  of  the  voyage.     Orders  had  been  issued! 
for  a  week's  rest  and  drills  had  been  suspended,  so 
the  men  might  recuperate  from  the  trying  days  they 
had  passed  on  the  Pacific,  and  except  for  quarters  at 
9  o'clock  the  usual  ship's  routine  had  been  dispensed 
with.    To-day,  owing  to  the  nasty  weather,  even  this 
matutinal  assembling  was  not  ordered  and  two  bells 
found  on  deck  only  those  who  were  called  there  by 
duty.     To  be  sure,  it  was  not  necessary  for  Admiral 
Garcia  to  be  on  the  bridge,  nor  for  the  newspaper  cor- 
respondent;   but  the  former  scented  danger  in  the 
sighing  air  and  in  the  cross-running  seas,  and  the  latter, 


250  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

by  inclination  as  well  as  by  training,  was  inclined  to 
be  in  a  place  of  vantage  when  anything  was  about  to 
happen. 

'There's  a  gale  coming  out  of  this,  sir,"  remarked 
Captain  Crane. 

"We  will  be  fortunate  if  it  is  only  a  gale.  I  look 
for  a  cyclone,"  replied  the  admiral. 

"A  cyclone  at  sea?"  questioned  Hawkins. 

"Yes;  don't  confuse  those  sudden,  fierce  whirls  of 
the  wind  that  happen  in  the  Western  States  with  the 
veering  gales  of  the  ocean.  The  phenomena  to  which 
you  refer,  and  which  are  accompanied  by  funnel- 
shaped  clouds,  are  classed  by  meteorologists  as  torna- 
does. A  cyclone  is  a  storm  that  blows  steadily  fromi. 
one  point  of  the  compass  for  several  minutes,  or  even 
hours,  then  shifts  to  another  point,  and  later,  perhaps, 
changes  to  another :  their  winds  have  been  known  to 
come  from  all  the  quarters  betv/een  daybreak  and 
noon.  It  is  the  irregular  sea,  not  the  wind,  that  is 
feared." 

"Off  the  port  bow,  sir !"  sang  out  an  ensign  who  was 
stationed  on  the  forecastle ;  and  all  turned  in  the  direc- 
tion he  pointed. 

The  drizzling  rain  had  ceased,  and  for  the  first  time 
since  daybreak  the  radius  of  vision  was  three  to  four 
miles,  sufficient  to  take  in  the  battleships  that  stag- 
gered along  after  the  Oroya,  knocking  into  fine  spray 
the  cross-seas  that  piled  up  on  port  and  starboard 
bows,  and  also  the  Matucana,  in  the  van  of  the  second 
squadron. 

When  they  looked  where  the  junior  watch  ofi&cer 


The  Gale  251 

had  signified  they  saw  on  the  horizon  hne  a  wall  of 
white  that  even  during  the  first  glance  grew  in  size 
and  moved  nearer.  It  was  Hke  spray  thrown  by  the 
bows  of  a  mighty  fleet  of  battleships.  It  was  water, 
lashed  to  fury,  and  the  roar  of  it  struck  their  ears  even 
as  the  eye  took  in  the  details. 

"Life  lines,  there!"  yellejd  Captain  Crane.  "Lower 
fore  and  aft  superstructures  !  Be  quick  about  it !  Over 
with  the  wheel  and  keep  her  head  to  it !" 

There  was  a  seeming  confusion  of  whistles,  and  a 
rush  of  men  from  bow  and  stern  and  from  port  and 
starboard.  Ropes  were  strung  along  the  deck,  waist 
high,  and  simiultaneously  the  forward  cabin  and  the 
after  ward-room  were  lowered  into  the  hold,  so  that 
nothing  v/as  left  on  deck  except  the  bridge,  the  wheel- 
house,  the  funnels  and  ventilators  and  the  life-boats 
that  swung  in  the  davits. 

The  wall  of  rushing  wind  and  water  was  now  three 
miles  distant.  It  was  coming  faster  than  a  mile  a 
minute. 

When  the  drizzling  rain  ceased  there  had  fallen  a 
dead  calm :  smoke  from  the  funnels  rose  lazily  and 
hung  as  lazily  in  the  heavy  air,  spreading  out  like  palls 
over  such  ships  as  were  in  sight. 

"Watch  out  there,  below !"  called  the  captain,  who 
had  seized  a  megaphone  from  a  box  on  the  bridge. 
"Down  !    down,  everybody !" 

The  sailors  threw  themselves  flat  and  seized  the  life- 
lines and  the  officers  on  the  bridge  clutched  the  rails. 
Hawkins  felt  something  press  tightly  around  his  waist, 


252  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

and  saw  that  a  quartermaster,  by  a  quick  turn,  had 
lashed  him  to  the  rail. 

The  white  wall  of  wind-lashed  water  towered  above 
them — and  then  it  came,  striking  not  only  on  the  bow 
but  on  the  port  side,  for  the  van  of  the  cyclone  was 
concave  in  form. 

Over  to  starboard  went  the  Oroya,  so  far  that  the 
guard  rails  on  the  side  touched  the  frothing  water. 
The  roar  changed  to  a  shriek  and  the  flag-ship  was 
swept  as  by  a  tidal  wave.  A  great  weight  pressed 
on  them  all,  they  were  struggling  in  blinding  water. 
The  mass  of  steel  beneath  them  trembled  in  every 
plate,  for  the  longitudinal  screws  were  racing,  so  far 
over  had  the  battleship  keeled,  like  the  propellers  of 
other  ships  when  thrown  out  of  water. 

"Stop  her!" 

The  order  from  Captain  Crane,  though  given 
through  the  megaphone,  came  faintly  to  their  ears 
and  sounded  like  a  low  moan.  The  navigator  struggled 
to  reach  the  indicator.  It  was  like  climbing  a  watery 
wall  for  him  to  do  so,  although  the  instrument  was 
but  a  few  feet  from  his  hand.  Drawing  himself  up  by 
the  bridge  rail,  he  seized  the  lever  and  threw  it  over 
to  the  zero  mark.  They  were  a  full  minute  answering 
the  signal  in  the  engine-room,  for  officers  and  men 
below  had  been  thrown  from  their  places  on  the 
staging  that  surrounded  the  massive  pieces  of  machin- 
ery. But  at  last  the  screws  stopped  racing  and  the 
uncanny  trembling  ceased. 

The  shriek  of  a  human  being  came  shrilly  from 
somewhere  on  deck,  the  notes  higher  than  the  shriek 


The  Gale  253 

of  the  elements,  and  those  on  the  bridge  saw  a  black 
clothed  form  sweep  to  leeward  on  the  crest  of  a  wave 
and  become  lost  in  the  flying  spray.  A  sailor  had 
been  carried  from  a  life-line.  There  were  mute  ap- 
peals exchanged  by  admiral  and  captain,  then  each 
shook  his  head.  To  launch  a  boat  was  impossible. 
Indeed,  the  starboard  boats  were  buried  in  rushing 
water  and  the  port  boats  were  high  in  air. 

Would  the  Oroya  ever  right  herself  ?  Over  and  over 
she  had  gone  until  it  was  almost  a  perpendicular  walk 
from  one  end  of  the  bridge  to  the  other.  Hawkins 
looked  down  from  the  point  where  he  was  lashed  to 
the  lower  end  of  the  structure,  where  the  admiral, 
Captain  Crane  and  Lieutenant  Sandoval  had  been 
swept  by  the  first  on-rush.  He  could  see  that  the 
admiral  had  been  hurt.  The  wound  received  at  Val- 
paraiso had  opened  and  blood  was  trickling  down  his 
forehead.  The  three  ofificers  were  up  to  their  waists 
in  water  and  all  had  thrown  their  arms  around  stan- 
chions, to  prevent  being  carried  to  sea.  The  navigator 
and  quartermaster  had  lashed  themselves  amidships 
and  so  had  maintained  positions  near  the  indicator. 
Beneath  them  the  wheel-house  had  withstood  the  fury 
of  the  wind  and  waves. 

At  the  moment  when  it  seemed  as  though  the  great 
mass  of  steel  must  yield  and  go  under,  the  grand  battle- 
ship struggled  like  a  lion  upon  feeling  his  bonds  cut, 
and  then  swung  nearer  the  perpendicular,  so  near  that 
officers  and  men  regained  their  footing. 

"Ten  knots !"  called  the  captain,  "and  keep  her  head 
to  the  seas!" 


254  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

The  engines  responded  and  the  Oroya's  bow  began 
to  dip  into  the  great  waves  that  had  commenced  run- 
ning from  the  northeast. 

The  air  had  grown  clear,  the  clouds  had  lifted  far- 
ther from  the  sea,  and  although  the  sky  was  overcast 
with  angry  gray  masses  that  raced  with  the  wind,  yet 
the  range  of  vision  was  greater  than  at  any  time  that 
morning.  All  glanced  astern,  to  learn  how  the  other 
ships  of  the  fleet  had  weathered  the  hurricane.  With- 
in four  cables'  length  were  the  Pisco  and  Payta,  steam- 
ing slowly,  green  seas  pounding  over  their  bows  and 
breaking  to  white.  The  great  battleships  reared  and 
fell  as  they  plowed  forward,  showing  their  keels,  then 
being  buried  to  the  bowsprits ;  but  their  motion  was 
regular.  Astern  of  them  was  the  Chorillos,  also 
weathering  well  the  seas.  All  the  cruisers  could  be 
sighted,  but  none  of  the  torpedo-boats. 

Cries  came  from  several  parts  of  the  flag-ship  at 
once.  Men  exclaimed  :  'The  Matucana !  The  Matu- 
cana!"  and  all  rushed  to  the  rail  and  looked  toward 
the  flag-ship  of  the  second  squadron.  She  had  not 
righted  as  had  other  ships  of  the  fleet,  and  was  still 
on  her  beam  ends. 

"About  ship !"  called  Admiral  Garcia.  'Thirty-five 
knots !"  he  sang  out. 

Over  went  the  Oroya's  wheel,  and  the  same  moment 
the  indicator  called  for  the  greatest  speed  from  the 
engines. 

The  lull  after  the  first  rush  of  air  and  water  had  been 
followed  by  a  hurricane  blow  that  had  gradually  in- 
creased to  about  eighty  miles  an  hour.     The  wind 


The  Gale  255 

swept  ofif  the  crests  of  waves  and  salt  spray  was  again 
being  hurled  through  the  air.  To  swing  the  Oroya  in 
this  wind  and  rapidly  rising  sea  was  not  without 
danger,  and  as  she  fell  into  the  trough  she  heeled 
over  almost  as  far  as  when  the  wall  of  water  first 
struck  her ;  but  the  screws  were  driving  at  full  speed 
by  this  time  and  she  rounded-to  nobly,  then  darted 
away  to  the  southeast,  in  the  direction  the  crippled 
cruiser  lay;  for  that  she  was  crippled  was  now  evi- 
dent, although  none  could  surmise  what  had  happened 
to  her. 

"Signal  the  other  ships  to  keep  clear  and  remain  on 
their  course !"  Admiral  Garcia  ordered,  and  in  a  few 
seconds  three  flags,  which  interpreted  the  command, 
were  fluttering  in  the  gale  like  wounded  birds. 

With  the  powerful  screws  revolving  at  their  greatest 
speed  and  the  hurricane  following  it  was  a  matter  of 
but  five  minutes  for  the  Oroya  to  bear  down  on  the 
Matucana.  The  cruiser  was  fast  in  the  trough  of  the 
sea,  lying  over  as  though  bound  to  the  water.  She 
w^as  very  low.  Her  deck  was  crowded  with  sailors 
and  marines,  and  soon  those  on  the  Oroya  could  make 
out  that  engineers  and  stokers  Vv-ere  among  the  crowd, 
and  that  men  were  standing  on  the  rail. 

"Crane;   she  is  sinking!"  called  out  the  admiral. 

They  v/ere  nearly  abreast  of  her.  In  the  middle  of 
the  bridge  they  saw  two  ofificers  who  had  maintained 
their  feet  on  the  slanting  superstructure,  and  it  was 
evident  that  they  had  been  lashed  in  position.  One 
was  Vice-Admiral  Padre  and  the  other  Captain  De- 
metrio.    The  vice-admiral's  hat  was  oilF  and  his  long 


256  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

white  hair  was  matted  close  to  his  head  by  the  salt 
water.    The  golden  sun  on  his  breast  glowed  sullenly. 

"Stop  her!"  commanded  Admiral  Garcia,  and  the 
Oroya  hove  to  almost  alongside  the  Matucana.  The 
flag-ship  of  the  fleet  and  the  flag-ship  of  the  squadron 
of  cruisers  were  dangerously  near  for  a  second,  then 
the  wind  drove  them  apart.  During  that  second  Vice- 
Admiral  Padre  seized  a  megaphone  and  a  faint  voice 
came  across  the  w^ater  above  the  hurricane's  roar.  It 
said : 

"Viva  Incaland!" 

An  uplifting  sea  caused  the  Matucana  to  lunge  for- 
ward. 

"Look  abaft  the  mainmast!"  exclaimed  Captain 
Crane. 

Then  they  saw  the  cause.  The  muzzle  of  a  great 
gun  protruded  through  the  side  of  the  Matucana  be- 
low the  water  line.  The  piece  had  broken  away  in  the 
hold  and  had  pierced  the  thin  plates.  There  was  a 
gaping  hole,  through  which  water  poured  into  the 
bowels  of  the  cruiser. 

Seeing  another  ship  of  the  fleet  so  near  at  hand,  men 
began  to  jump  from  the  rail  of  the  sinking  vessel  into 
the  water,  and  soon  the  crest  of  each  wave  bore  a 
struggling  human  form,  and  some  waves  two  and 
three. 

"Call  away  the  lifeboats !"  ordered  Admiral  Garcia. 

As  the  boatswain's  whistle  sounded.  Captain  Crane 
seized  the  commander-in-chief  by  the  arm  and  pointed 
to  the  east.     In  that  quarter  could  be  seen  another 


The  Gale  257 

wall  of  white  water,  similar  to  that  which  had  come 
from  the  northwest. 

"Countermand  the  order!"  called  the  admiral. 
"Great  God,  a  shift  of  the  wind  so  soon,  and  we  must 
abandon  them  all !" 

They  had  seen  it  on  the  Matucana,  and  knew  what 
it  meant.  The  venerable  vice-admiral  waved  his  hand, 
and  all  on  the  Oroya  knew  that  he  thus  bade  them  an 
eternal  farewell.  There  were  few  save  the  officers  left 
on  the  ]\Iatucana  now.  Nearly  all  the  crew  were  in 
the  water,  and  they  were  fast  being  buried  by  the 
breaking  waves.  The  Oroya  was  drifting  away,  and 
the  men  who  managed  to  keep  afloat  gestured  wildly, 
and  imploring  glances  could  be  seen  on  the  faces  of 
those  nearest  the  flag-ship  as  they  were  lifted  by  great 
seas  even  above  the  level  of  the  battleship's  bridge. 

"Every  man  watch  out  for  himself !"  sang  out  Cap- 
tain Crane,  for  the  second  wall  of  water  was  near. 

Two  flags  fluttered  from  the  signal  halyards  of  the 
Matucana.  The  vice-admiral  had  hoisted  them  there. 
And  a  cheer  went  up  from  the  deck  of  the  Oroya,  for 
everyone  knew  that  the  signal  read  :  "Viva  Incaland  !" 

Then  the  second  wall  of  water  struck,  and  froth  and 
foam  covered  everything.  For  five  minutes  the  Oroya 
struggled  blindly  and  the  seas,  lashed  to  fury  by  the 
cross-wind,  rose  on  all  sides  and  fell  on  the  deck.  Fol- 
lowing this  from  out  the  east  came  a  hurricane  as 
fierce  as  that  which  had  preceded,  and  when  the 
weather  again  cleared  those  on  the  bridge  looked  over 
the  expanse  of  water  in  vain  for  the  Matucana. 

She  was  gone — and  not  the  form  of  a  human  being 


258  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

could  be  seen  in  the  boiling,  seething  cauldron  of 
water ! 

TfC  3fC  ^  ^  3fC  ^  ijc 

The  flag-ship  stood  near  the  spot  all  the  morning 
and  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  riding  out  the  hurri- 
cane over  the  graves  of  the  vice-admiral  and  nine 
hundred  officers  and  men,  but  not  a  thing  came  from 
below  and  not  a  body  was  seen,  for  the  wind  in  its 
fury  had  swept  such  as  floated  toward  the  west.  To- 
ward sunset  the  gale  abated  somewhat.  Then  the 
signal  was  sullenly  given  to  steam  ahead  at  twenty- 
five  knots  and  the  course  of  the  morning  was  resumed. 
Not  another  ship  of  the  fleet  was  in  sight.  The  great 
Peruvian  navy  had  been  scattered. 


.     .      .     .     "THE    MATUCAXA     STRUGGLF.D    BLINDLY  — THL: 
SECOND  WALL  OF  WATER   STRUCK  HER   AXD  SHE   SANK." 


CHAPTER    XIX. 
IN  THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC. 

By  the  last  day  of  June  the  Oroya  had  progressed 
only  as  far  as  latitude  3°  10'  north,  and  was  in  a 
portion  of  the  sea  termed  by  old-time  sailing  skippers 
the  "Doldrums,"  a  word  euphonically  suggestive  of 
calms,  heat  and  life  without  incident.  This  afternoon 
the  battleship  was  about  two  hundred  miles  north  of 
the  equator.  There  was  not  a  sheltering  cloud  in  the 
sky  to  temper  the  sun's  rays,  and  by  3  o'clock  the 
heat  had  become  stifling,  for  at  the  slow  rate  the  flag- 
ship was  traveling  the  following  breeze  neutralized 
what  displacement  of  air  was  caused  by  her  progress, 
as  was  evidenced  by  the  smoke,  which  rose  nearly 
straight  from  the  funnels.  The  paint-work  was  sticky, 
and  rancid  odors  from  the  engine-room  Hngered  with 
the  craft.  Now  and  then  a  stoker,  bare  to  the  waist, 
crawled  wearily  up  a  narrow  iron  ladder,  thrust  his 
head  above  the  level  of  the  main  deck,  gasped  a  mo- 
ment, then  retreated  to  the  bowels  of  the  ship,  where 
artificial  currents  furnished  more  relief  than  the  dead 
atmosphere  above. 

The  Oroya  was  proceeding  as  leisurely  as  a  collier, 
barely  making  six  knots  an  hour,  for  the  commander- 
in-chief  hoped  that  other  ships  of  the  fleet,  which  had 
been  left  astern  during  or  after  the  hurricane,  might 
heave  in  sight,  as  the  Pisco  and  the  Payta  had  done, 

259 


26o  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

for  they  had  rejoined  the  Oroya  the  day  before,  re- 
porting all  hands  well  and  no  damage  sustained  during 
the  storm.  To  be  sure  such  ships  as  remained  above 
water  and  were  sound  of  machinery  would  report  at 
the  point  near  Barbados,  according  to  orders  issued 
before  leaving  Valparaiso ;  but  the  admiral  was  some- 
what worried  concerning  the  other  vessels,  especially 
the  torpedo-boats,  and  he  was  anxious  to  hold  back 
with  the  flag-ship  as  long  as  possible.  The  navigator 
had  reported  that  a  speed  of  twenty-five  knots  after 
sunset  on  the  first  of  July  would  take  them  to  the  ren- 
dezvous in  ample  time,  so  orders  had  been  issued  to 
make  steerage-way  and  nothing  more  until  then. 

That  is  why  the  great  ship  moved  sluggishly  in  the 
Doldrums,  with  a  lookout  stationed  at  the  masthead 
and  another  on  the  forecastle. 

Admiral  Garcia  had  aged  in  appearance,  as  if  ten 
years,  instead  of  a  week,  had  passed  since  the  hurricane 
off  Bahia.  The  golden  sun  on  his  breast  was  covered 
with  black  crepe  and  a  knot  of  the  same  fabric  was 
fastened  at  his  shoulder.  All  the  commissioned  officers 
of  the  Oroya,  the  Pisco  and  the  Payta  had  similar 
knots  fastened  at  their  shoulders ;  and  the  sailors  wore 
mourning  bands  on  their  caps. 

''His  one  thought  was  of  Incaland,"  said  the  com- 
mander-in-chief to  Hawkins,  as  they  slowly  paced  the 
bridge  this  hot  afternoon.  'Tadre  made  all  this  pos- 
sible," and  he  waved  his  hand,  indicating  by  the  ges- 
ture the  Oroya  and  the  ships  that  followed  astern. 
"He  was  kind,  generous  and  just;  his  nature  courted 
affection  ;    his " 


In  the  North  Atlantic  261 

The  admiral  was  interrupted  by  the  cry  from  the 
fore-top:   "Smoke  off  the  starboard  quarter,  sir!" 

All  who  were  on  deck  hurried  to  the  rail.  The  sailors 
and  marines  scrambled  for  vantage  points,  the  officers 
moved  with  more  decorum,  but  their  faces  expressed 
eagerness  in  no  less  degree  because  etiquette  forbade 
any  demonstration  by  them. 

''Which  ship  will  she  prove  to  be?"  was  the  ques- 
tion uppermost  in  everyone's  mind,  and  all  strained 
their  eyes,  gazing  to  the  southward,  where  a  thin 
column  of  smoke  rose  in  the  hfeless,  hazy  atmosphere. 

The  associations  of  the  men  of  the  Peruvian  navy 
Vv-ere  different  from  those  of  mariners  of  other  nations. 
When  an  American  squadron  puts  to  sea,  Tom.  and 
Dick  of  the  forecastle,  old  salts  though  they  may  be, 
will  probably  not  know  a  sailor  on  board  any  other 
ship  of  the  fleet ;  perhaps  they  have  never  met  any  of 
the  men  on  the  vessel  to  which  they  have  been  as- 
signed. The  same  is  true  with  the  navies  of  other 
powers.  But  closer  ties  bound  those  who  manned 
the  new  Peruvian  ships.  For  years  before  the  fleet 
sailed  from  the  Chinchas  the  crews  had  associated  on 
the  islands.  The  men  had  attended  training  school 
together,  they  had  watched  the  building  of  the  vessels 
that  were  to  prove  their  floating  homes  in  the  future, 
and  as  companions  they  had  gone  on  cruises;  there 
were  men  on  the  Oroya  who  had  lost  brothers  on  the 
Matucana,  there  were  others  whose  duty  it  would 
soon  be  to  break  the  sad  news  to  sisters  that  their 
husbands  had  gone  down  with  the  wreck.  It  was  so 
throughout  all  the  fleet,  threads  of  relationship  being 


262  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

woven  around  the  thousands  who  had  gone  forth  to  do 
battle  for  Peru. 

No  wonder,  then,  the  anxious  inquiries,  "Can  you 
make  her  out  ?  Which  ship  is  she  ?  Why  don't  the  old 
man  let  us  know  ?"  were  heard  along  the  rail  until  the 
''old  man" — Captain  Crane — who  had  been  gazing 
astern  through  the  large  telescope,  sang  out:  "The 
Tambovisa!"  And  then  some  cheered  and  others 
turned  away,  disappointed. 

She  came  up  fast,  evidently  making  her  best  speed, 
and  as  she  drew  near  the  watch  officer  reported  that 
he  saw  no  sign  of  damage  to  the  hull  or  deck  works. 

"There's  a  signal !"  said  Admiral  Garcia.  "Mr. 
Sandoval,  fetch  the  code." 

"Three  men  injured  during  the  gale.  All  recovering. 
Other  hands  well,"  read  the  lieutenant. 

"Any  injury  to  the  ship?"  asked  the  admiral,  and 
flags  hoisted  on  the  Oroya  put  this  question. 

"None,"  came  the  answer,  immediately  followed  by 
other  pennants,  which  the  code  interpreted  as :  "Why 
is  your  ensign  at  half-mast  ?" 

"That's  so ;  they  don't  know.  Tell  them,  Mr.  San- 
doval," and  the  message  was  sent :  "The  Matucana  is 
lost,  with  all  hands." 

Im.mediately  the  red,  white^  and  red  on  the  Tam- 
bovisa was  lowered  half  way  from  the  gafif,  and  three 
other  signal  flags,  broken  below  the  yard  arms  con- 
veyed the  apologetic,  "We  did  not  know." 

By  this  time  the  Tambovisa  had  approached  to  with- 
in a  cable's  length  of  the  Oro3^a  and  men  on  the  deck 
of  the   cruiser  waved  their  caps  as  they  recognized 


In  the  North  Atlantic  263 

familiar  faces  on  the  battleship.  The  Pisco  and  the 
Payta  had  also  closed  up. 

"Signal  the  fleet  to  heave-to,"  ordered  the  admiral, 
"and  ask  the  captains  to  board  the  flag-ship." 

Fifteen  minutes  later  the  visiting  officers  were  seated 
in  the  admiral's  cabin,  and  while  Captain  Olsen  was 
being  told  the  particulars  of  the  Matucana's  loss  the 
sailors  were  relating  the  details  to  the  members  of  his 
barge  crew.  The  commanding  officers  remained  for 
dinner,  the  ships  of  the  fleet  resuming  way  at  the  slow 
speed  of  the  afternoon,  and  the  barges  that  waited 
were  towed  astern,  a  boat  keeper  in  each;  and  the 
crews  mingled  with  the  men  of  the  Oroya  until  the 
captains  bade  the  commander-in-chief  good-night, 
when  four  bells  sounded. 

The  wind  shifted  about  twelve,  and  coming  over 
the  bows  made  sleep  possible  for  those  in  the  cabin, 
wardroom  and  steerage,  and  enjoyable  for  the  sailors 
and  marines  who  had  been  granted  permission  while 
in  this  latitude  to  swing  their  hammocks  on  deck. 

When  Hawkins  left  his  state-room  the  next  morning 
he  saw  that  the  fleet  had  been  increased  to  five  by 
the  arrival  during  the  night  of  the  torpedo-boat  Mer- 
cedes. She  was  following  the  Oroya  close  astern  and 
her  captain.  Acting  Commodore  Alviraz,  commanding 
the  third  squadron,  was  on  board  making  his  report 
in  person  to  the  admiral.  All  of  his  command  were 
well,  except  a  gunner's  mate,  whose  back  had  been 
sprained  during  the  storm.  As  for  the  other  torpedo 
boats,  he  had  kept  them  in  sight  until  the  second  squall 
struck  and  then  had  lost  them  from  view,  as  he  had 


264  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

previously  lost  the  other  ships^  of  the  fleet.  The  Mer- 
cedes had  proceeded  at  slow  speed,  and  he  was  of  the 
opinion  that  the  other  vessels  of  his  command  were 
ahead  rather  than  astern.  Nevertheless,  Admiral  Gar- 
cia decided  to  remain  until  nightfall  in  that  latitude, 
and  he  was  rewarded  soon  after  noon  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  fourth  battleship,  which  increased  the 
numerical  strength  of  the  fleet  to  six.  To  the  crew 
of  the  Chorillos,  as  to  the  crews  of  the  other  ships  that 
had  joined  the  Oroya,  the  loss  of  the  Matucana  came 
as  a  shock  and  a  surprise,  for  although  Vice-Admiral 
Padre's  flag-ship  was  laboring  heavily  when  the  clouds 
shut  her  out  they  had  hoped  that  she  had  weathered 
the  storm. 

Captain  Paschall  reported  one  man  killed  on  board 
the  Chorillos  and  a  half  dozen  injured,  for  a  gun  had 
broken  away  in  the  hold  and  they  had  had  lively  times 
securing  it  again.  He  had  been  delayed  by  the  break- 
ing of  a  condenser,  which  compelled  the  stoppage  of 
one  set  of  engines  and  necesitated  the  progress  at  half 
speed  until  that  morning.  He  agreed  with  Commo- 
dore Alviraz  that  the  other  ships  of  the  fleet  were 
probably  ahead. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  when  he  left  the  Oroya  and 
soon  after  he  reached  the  deck  of  his  battleship  Admiral 
Garcia  caused  signals  to  be  hoisted  for  twenty-five 
knots  and  the  fleet  of  six  ships  shaped  their  course 
toward  the  point  on  the  North  Atlantic  that  had  been 
the  goal  since  leaving  the  Straits  of  Magellan. 

Early  the  following  morning,  while  the  admiral  and 
the  newspaper  correspondent  were  at  breakfast,  word 


In  the  North  Atlantic  265 

was  sent  to  the  cabin  by  the  watch  officer  that  the 
smoke  of  two  steamships  had  been  sighted  off  the 
bow,  and  fifteen  minutes  later  an  orderly  brought  the 
information  that  the  craft  were  the  torpedo-boats 
Maria  and  Madelene,  and  that  they  had  hove-to,  await- 
ing the  approach  of  the  squadron.  Encouraging  news 
came  from  these  vessels  by  wigwag  signals  as  they  fell 
in  behind  the  flag-ship.  Not  only  were  all  well  on 
board  but  their  commanders  reported  having  been  in 
company  with  the  cruisers  Mejillones  and  Arica  until 
the  last  twenty-four  hours,  when  they  had  become 
separated  during  a  heavy  fog.  The  torpedo-boats  had 
cruised  about,  looking  for  their  consorts  without  suc- 
cess, and  had  concluded  that  the  latter  had  steamed 
ahead.  Their  surmise  proved  correct,  and  before  even- 
ing the  squadron  overtook  the  cruisers  and  the  fleet 
became  ten  in  number. 

That  midnight  a  light  was  sighted  to  starboard  and 
when  the  Oroya  flashed  the  private  naval  signal,  the 
answer  came  over  the  water,  spelling  "A-n-i-t-a." 
Other  flash  signals  told  that  all  were  well  on  board  and 
another  asked,  "What  news?" 

It  would  be  a  pity  to  inform  them  at  that  hour  of 
all  that  had  happened,  so  the  reply  was  sent,  "Details 
in  the  morning." 

When  day  broke  there  was  still  another  ship  to 
receive  the  intelligence,  for  the  Rosita  was  sighted  just 
as  the  sun  rose,  completing  the  quota  of  torpedo-boats. 
She  signaled  all  well,  and  no  mishap,  save  the  loss  of 
a  cutter. 

After  the  navigator  had  taken  the  noon  observation 


266  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

he  reported  latitude  14°  30'  north,  and  longitude 
50°  10'  west.  It  was  the  place  where  the  fleet  had 
been  ordered  to  reassemble,  and  the  order  had  been 
obeyed.  Of  the  ships  that  had  entered  Callao  harbor 
on  the  morning  of  June  6th  all  were  there  except  four, 
the  Chosica,  left  at  Valparaiso  as  consort  for  the 
prizes;  the  Miraflores,  stationed  at  Callao  for  guard 
duty;  the  Avita,  sunk  in  Valparaiso  Bay,  and  the 
Matucana,  lost  in  the  South  Atlantic. 

The  weather  conditions  that  afternoon  would  have 
made  glad  the  hearts  of  the  men  had  it  not  been  for 
the  depression  caused  by  the  recent  disaster.  As  it 
was,  all  hands  were  more  cheerful  than  at  any  time 
since  the  cyclone,  for  they  knew  that  no  more  ships 
or  lives  had  been  lost.  Time  for  another  action  was 
at  hand,  and  they  were  well  away  from  the  fierce  heat 
that  had  caused  such  restlessness  while  near  the  equa- 
tor. A  light,  cool  breeze  from  the  north  brought  into 
being  dancing  waves  on  the  dark  green  water,  waves  just 
high  enough  to  furnish  excitement  for  the  occupants 
of  small  boats,  that  moved  from  one  man-of-war  to  an- 
other when  the  fleet  hove-to,  as  it  soon  did,  in  response 
to  a  signal,  but  which  had  no  more  effect  upon  the 
large  ships  than  would  the  troubled  surface  of  a  mill 
pond.  There  was  a  gentle  under-roll,  that  caused  a  leis- 
urely swing  of  the  big  craft,  else  those  on  board  might 
have  imagined  them  at  anchor  in  a  land-locked  harbor. 

At  3  o'clock  Admiral  Garcia  ordered  all  command- 
ing officers  to  report  on  board  the  flag-ship,  and  when 
they  had  assembled  he  proceeded  to  outline  the  object 
of  the  North  Atlantic  cruise. 


In  the  North  Atlantic  267 

*'You  know  our  purpose  in  visiting  these  seas,"  he 
said,  after  briefly  referring  to  the  voyage  and  the  loss 
of  the  cruiser.  *'I  ordered  copies  of  such  dispatches 
as  I  received  at  Valparaiso  sent  to  you.  They  told 
that  the  Channel  and  the  Mediterranean  squadrons 
had  been  ordered  to  unite  at  Southampton  and  proceed 
against  us,  and  it  was  then  beUeved  that  they  would 
visit  the  Pacific  coast.  Great  Britain  has  not  engaged 
in  a  naval  war  since  ships  have  been  constructed  of  iron 
and  steel,  and  it  is  a  natural  presumption  that  the  ma- 
jority of  the  enemy's  vessels  needed  preparation  before 
setting  forth.  I  do  not  think  the  combined  fleets  could 
be  got  ready  for  sea  within  three  weeks,  and  it  is  my 
opinion  that  they  are  about  due  now  to  sail  from  the 
English  coast.  It  is  possible  to  ascertain  their  move- 
ments exactly,  and  I  think  this  can  be  done  without 
visiting  a  coast  city  in  the  West  Indies  or  the  United 
States,  where  the  cable  could  flash  the  news  of  our 
arrival,  with  the  result  that  the  British  squadrons  would 
be  ordered  to  remain  at  home,  to  protect  their  own 
coast.  No,  I  think  that  one  of  the  transatlantic  liners, 
outward  bound  from  New  York,  will  furnish  all  the 
information  we  desire.  The  majority  of  these  vessels 
are  British,  and  we  are  privileged  to  capture  them. 
We  will  overhaul  such  a  ship  and  from  the  newspapers 
she  carries  and  the  passengers  we  will  learn  the  latest 
concerning  the  enemy." 

"A  part  of  our  fleet  will  at  once  proceed  north  at  full 
speed,  to  a  point  where  we  are  most  apt  to  intercept 
one  of  the  liners." 

"I  say  a  part  of  the  fleet,  because  I  have  decided 


268  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

to  change  our  maneuvers.  In  the  action  which  will 
soon  take  place  on  the  high  seas,  and  which  I  have 
determined  shall  be  at  long  range  for  a  time,  the  tor- 
pedo-boats would  not  be  of  much  assistance.  There- 
fore, they  will  be  used  for  several  days  as  commerce  de- 
stroyers. When  the  terms  of  peace  are  negotiated  with 
Great  Britain,  we  will  find  it  greatly  to  our  advantage 
if  a  number  of  prizes  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  When 
the  battleships  and  the  cruisers  move  north  to-day, 
the  torpedo-boats  will  take  a  w^esterly  course.'' 

''Commodore  Alviraz,  you  will  command  this  squad- 
ron. Make  at  once  for  the  coast  of  the  United  States. 
Station  one  ship  near  Philadelphia,  another  near  Bos- 
ton and  the  remainder  of  the  fleet  near  New  York. 
Capture  all  steamships  that  fly  the  British  flag,  and 
send  them  with  prize  crews  to  Barbados.  One  of  the 
torpedo-boats  can  accompany  the  first  prize  to  the 
island  and  hold  it  till  the  arrival  of  one  or  more  of  the 
larger  ships  of  the  fleet.  I  think  that  my  instructions 
are  expHcit,  gentlemen,  and  you  may  now  execute 
them.  I  wish  you  the  best  of  success  in  your  various 
undertakings." 

The  officers  rose  when  the  commander-in-chief  sig- 
nified that  the  meeting  was  at  an  end,  and,  saluting, 
they  left  the  cabin. 

'This  is  your  opportunity  to  forward  correspond- 
ence, Carey,"  said  the  admiral.  "They  will  undoubt- 
edly sight  one  of  the  pilot-boats  near  New  York  and 
can  transfer  your  letter  to  her." 

"I  have  it  at  hand,"  the  correspondent  replied,  taking 
a  package  from  his  pocket. 


In  the  North  Atlantic  269 

"Give  it  to  Commodore  Alviraz,  for  he  will  more 
likely  dispose  of  it  as  you  wish." 

Hawkins  did  so  and  a  moment  later  the  manuscript 
that  told  of  the  voyage  from  the  Pacific  and  the  loss 
of  the  Matucana  was  being  carried  to  the  flag-ship 
of  the  torpedo  squadron,  for  transfer  to  a  boat  that 
would  take  it  to  the  metropcHs  of  the  United  States. 

When  the  captains  had  returned  to  their  commands 
the  signal  to  get  under  way  was  hoisted  and  the  fleet 
separated,  battleships  and  cruisers  forming  one  squad- 
ron and  the  torpedo-boats  another.  Then  they  di- 
verged, the  heavier  craft  steering  north  and  the  light 
vessels  making  for  the  coast. 

Twenty-six  hours  after  the  seven  great  warships  had 
parted  company  from  the  smaller  craft  of  the  fleet  they 
hove-to  for  the  night  at  a  point  more  than  a  thousand 
miles  from  the  place  where  the  commander-in-chief 
had  given  his  orders  for  the  North  Atlantic  maneuvers. 
They  had  proceeded  at  full  speed,  which  was  thirty- 
five  knots  an  hour,  or  forty  miles,  landsman's  compu- 
tation. Spray  had  been  flying  over  their  bows,  so 
great  was  the  speed,  and  the  decks  had  been  wet  from 
the  fore  part  of  the  turtle-back  to  the  mainmast.  It 
had  come  on  board  in  salt  showers,  rattling  on  the 
admiral's  cabin,  and  making  it  necessary  to  keep  win- 
dows and  port-holes  closed.  There  was  a  stiff  breeze 
from  the  north  into  which  they  dashed,  and  the  rig- 
ging's ^.olian  harp  rang  as  though  a  gale  were  raging. 

They  hove-to  that  night  because  they  had  reached 
the  latitude  where  a  liner  might  be  met  and  the  ships 
spread  out,  two  miles  between  each,  covering  a  dis- 


270  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

tance  of  fourteen  miles  in  all,  and  orders  were  issued 
to  proceed  at  slow  speed  in  the  morning  if  nothing 
occurred  during  the  dark  hours  to  alter  the  plans. 

There  had  been  a  national  salute  fired  that  day  at 
nine  in  the  morning,  when  quarters  were  sounded, 
and  the  stars  and  stripes  were  broken  at  the  fore-trucks 
of  all  the  ships  of  the  fleet.  It  was  the  Fourth  of  July 
and  the  Peruvian  navy  thus  testified  its  great  friend- 
ship for  the  power  with  which  it  had  become  so  closely 
allied.  In  the  evening,  after  the  ships  had  hove-to,  the 
commanding  officers  were  invited  to  dinner  on  board 
the  flag-ship,  and  when  plates  had  been  cleared  away 
the  American  correspondent  was  asked  to  answer  to 
the  toast,  "America." 

He  had  often  been  called  upon  for  after-dinner 
speeches,  but  no  man  had  ever  been  invited  under  such 
circumstances.  The  large  state  dining-room  of  the 
admiral  was  aglow  with  the  light  of  electric  lamps,  that, 
fastened  in  the  walls,  cast  a  soft  effulgence  without 
revealing  individual,  blinding  glares.  Seven  captains 
of  the  Peruvian  navy,  the  admiral  and  his  flag  Heu- 
tenant,  all  in  the  brilliant  full  dress  of  black  and  gold, 
were  seated  at  table,  waiting  for  the  words  of  the 
young  writer  who  had  endeared  himself  to  them  by 
his  courage,  his  sympathy  and  his  good  fellowship. 
They  had  passed  through  a  fierce  naval  conflict,  they 
had  faced  death  during  a  cyclone ;  a  powerful  hostile 
fleet  was  nearing  them,  and  they  were  close  to  the 
shores  of  that  great  country  whose  natal  day  they  were 
celebrating.     The  officers  represented  ancient  Peru 


In  the  North  Atlantic  271 

endowed  with  fresh  power;  the  civiHan  typified  the 
United  States,  their  ally. 

The  correspondent's  address  was  at  first  slow  and 
deliberate.  He  had  learned  much  during  the  days  that 
were  passed.  At  its  inception  the  voyage  from  Peru 
had  seemed  an  exciting  adventure,  one  that  would 
prove  a  wonderful  story  to  read  about,  but  one  that 
would  soon  be  forgotten  in  the  busy  whirl  of  the  world. 
Now  he  realized  that  what  had  happened  was  indelible 
on  history's  pages.  Maps  would  have  to  be  changed 
because  of  these  men  and  their  powerful  fighting  ma- 
chines, nations  would  have  to  reallign  themselves  and 
all  bodies  politic  would  have  to  be  readjusted.  This  he 
confessed  to  the  officers,  and  it  was  a  confession  to 
admit  that  the  magnitude  of  their  work  had  not  im- 
pressed him  as  it  should  have  done  from  the  beginning. 
Then  he  cast  a  verbal  horoscope,  picturing  the  respon- 
sibilities that  w^ould  fall  upon  the  new  pow-er  south  of 
the  equator. 

'T  see  in  the  future,"  said  he  in  conclusion,  "the 
Western  hemisphere  ruling  the  world,  and  ruhng  in 
peace  because  of  its  power,  for  absolute  power  means 
peace.  I  see  to  the  north,  stretching  as  far  as  the 
Arctic  circle,  the  United  States  of  America,  sublime 
in  industrial  strength,  with  army  and  navy  that  pre- 
vents encroachment  and  insures  tranquillity;  to  the 
south  the  United  States  of  Incaland,  stretching  from 
the  Antarctic,  great  in  mineral  resources  and  maintain- 
ing that  power  on  land  and  sea  that  is  necessary  so 
long  as  the  passions  of  man  survive :  and  binding  the 
two  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  neutral  territory.    To  the 


2'j2  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

futures  of  these  great  powers,  officers  of  Incaland's 
navy,  I  ask  you  to  drink." 

They  sprang  to  their  feet.  At  a  signal  from  Admiral 
Garcia  swords  flashed  from  scabbards,  and  as  the  steels 
gleamed  in  the  electric  glow,  cups  were  lifted  and  the 
toast  was  changed  to,  "America  and  Incaland." 

As  the  admiral  and  his  guests  resumed  their  seats 
an  orderly  appeared,  saluted  and  said  :  *'Sir,  the  officer 
of  the  watch  reports  that  the  Mejillones  is  signalling." 

Lieutenant  Sandoval  hastily  rose  from  his  chair  and 
went  on  deck. 

*T  daresay  you  are  all  more  or  less  anxious  to  know 
what  she  wants,  and  I  confess  that  I  am,"  said  the 
admiral.  ''Suppose  we  adjourn  to  the  bridge  with  our 
cigars,"  and  they  followed  the  commander-in-chief 
from  the  cabin. 

The  flash  Hghts  could  be  plainly  seen,  darting  to- 
ward the  clouds  about  four  miles  to  port,  the  position 
occupied  by  the  cruiser,  which  was  the  second  in  line 
from  the  flag-ship. 

"Steamship  sighted  off  the  port  bow,"  said  Lieu- 
tenant Sandoval,  reading  from  the  code  as  the  quarter- 
master called  off  the  flashes.  "We  signalled  her  and 
she  showed  her  number,  526." 

"Orderly,  fetch  Lloyds'  Annual  from  my  desk,"  said 
the  admiral. 

The  book  was  soon  in  hand  and  the  pages  were 
hastily  turned. 

"Number  526,"  repeated  the  commander-in-chief. 
"Ah!  here  it  is!  British  steamship  Gibraltar  of  the 
Cunard  line.     Singular,  that  after  the  declaration  of 


In  the  North  Atlantic  2.^1 

war  she  should  so  readily  show  her  number !  They 
must  believe  us  still  on  the  Pacific.  Mr.  Sandoval, 
signal  the  Mejillones  to  overhaul  the  liner,  bring  her 
near  the  flag-ship  and  place  a  prize  crew  on  board.  At 
daybreak  hoist  the  Peruvian  ensign  on  her." 

Soon  after  this  message  had  been  flashed  a  red  fire 
showed  above  the  funnels  of  the  cruiser  and  her  lights 
were  seen  to  move  away  from  the  fleet.  Confident  that 
the  English  ship  would  soon  be  taken,  the  admiral 
bade  the  captains  good-night  and  retired  to  his  cabin. 

When  the  morning  came  again  the  liner  was  seen 
about  four  cables'  length  off  the  Oroya's  port  bow, 
rolling  gracefully  in  the  light  sea  that  had  risen  during 
the  night.  The  waves  were  not  too  high  for  the  barges 
of  the  Peruvian  fleet  and  these  electric  craft  were  ply- 
ing between  the  flag-ship  and  the  prize.  As  Hawkins 
appeared,  one  of  the  small  boats  came  alongside  and 
sailors  began  carrying  sacks  of  mail  to  the  deck. 

"Never  mind  the  letter  packages,  paymaster,"  said 
the  admiral,  who  was  superintending  the  work  in  per- 
son. 'Tlace  them  one  side  and  leave  them  intact. 
Carry  the  large  sacks  into  the  wardroom  and  have 
the  New  York  newspapers,  issued  since  June  6th, 
placed  in  my  cabin." 

Turning  to  the  lieutenant  of  the  Mejillones,  who  had 
come  with  the  barge,  the  commander-in-chief  asked 
what  had  happened  on  board  the  prize. 

"The  captain  of  the  Cunarder  was  very  indignant 
at  first,  sir,"  was  the  reply.  "He  talked  of  the  wrath 
of  England  and  called  us  pirates.    When  day  broke, 


274  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

and  he  saw  our  fleet  he  became  more  docile,  and  he  is 
now  completely  awed." 

"And  the  passengers?" 

"They  were  much  alarmed,  sir;  particularly  some 
of  the  women,  who  cried  hysterically  for  a  time." 

"You  reassured  them,  did  you  not?" 

"Yes,  sir.  We  told  them  that  they  would  suffer  no 
harm  and  no  annoyance  beyond  a  few  days'  deten- 
tion." 

"Who  is  in  command  of  the  prize?" 

"Lieutenant  Commander  Portios,  sir." 

"You  have  been  assigned  as  one  of  the  officers?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"He  has  a  full  complement — officers,  sailors,  ma- 
rines, firemen  and  stokers?" 

,    "Yes,  sir.    They  were  sent  on  board  soon  after  the 
capture." 

"Very  well.  Return  to  the  ship  and  tell  Captain 
Portios  to  get  under  way  and  steam  at  once  for  Bar- 
bados. Tell  him  to  husband  his  coal  and  stand  off  and 
on  near  the  island  until  the  arrival  of  one  of  the  tor- 
pedo-boats. On  no  account  is  he  to  attempt  a  landing 
until  reinforcements  come.    Good  day,  sir." 

"Now,  Carey,"  said  the  admiral,  turning  to  the  cor- 
respondent, "I  notice  that  the  paymaster's  clerks  have 
carried  several  bundles  of  newspapers  into  the  cabin, 
so  suppose  we  adjourn  there  and  learn  what  has  hap- 
pened in  the  world." 

When  they  were  seated  he  added :  "Let  us  read  in 
sequence,"  and  he  motioned  Hawkins  to  one  pile  of 
newspapers,  drew  another  to  his  side  of  the  table,  and 


In  the  North  Atlantic  275 

Captain  Crane,  who  had  joined  them,  commenced  on 
a  third.  The  admiral's  instructions  had  been  to  sort 
the  periodicals  from  the  date  of  June  6th,  so  issues  of 
that  day  were  the  first  to  be  hurriedly  gone  through. 
They  contained  nothing  concerning  the  important 
events  then  occurring  below  the  equator,  nor  did  those 
of  the  seventh  and  eighth,  proof  that  President  Pedro's 
orders  forbidding  cable  communication  had  been 
obeyed.  But  when  Hawkins  opened  the  paper  of  the 
ninth — he  had  been  assigned  to  examine  the  files  of 
the  journal  for  which  he  corresponded — he  uttered  an 
exclamation  that  caused  the  officers  to  step  to  his 
side,  and  leaning  over  his  shoulder,  they  read  the  first 
cablegram  that  had  been  sent  from  Callao  to  New 
York.  It  was  printed  in  unusually  large  type,  and 
occupied  the  entire  first  page.  No  other  newspaper 
of  that  date  contained  a  line  that  referred  to  the  im- 
portant subequatorial  happenings.  All  who  were  ex- 
amining the  newspapers  were  kept  quite  busy  when 
this  date  w^as  passed,  for  very  little  space  had  been 
devoted  to  other  news.  There  were  cablegrams  from 
all  parts  of  the  world  bearing  on  the  situation  and 
everything  that  could  be  brought  to  light  concerning 
Peru  furnished  material  for  articles.  On  the  date  of 
June  II  the  newspaper  for  which  Hawkins  corres- 
ponded contained  another  exclusive  news  story.  It 
told  of  the  battle  of  Valparaiso  and  occupied  two  pages, 
the  first  and  the  second.  Hawkins  pointed  out  that  his 
managing  editor  had  throw^n  out  all  the  advertising 
on  page  2,  so  as  to  give  it  a  "clean  sweep,"  as  he 
termed  it.    His  auditors  nodded  their  heads  in  appre- 


^y(i  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ciation,  although  they  did  not  understand  exactly  what 
he  meant.  By  this  time  the  newspapers  commenced 
to  teem  w-ith  pictures  of  matters  Peruvian,  and  one 
journal  gave  an  illustration,  from  "cable  description," 
of  the  Oroya. 

There  was  a  hearty  laugh  from  the  officers  when 
Captain  Crane  showed  it  to  them.  Later  it  was  evi- 
dent from  the  tenor  of  the  New  York  press  that  cor- 
respondents were  being  hurried  to  the  west  coast  of 
South  America. 

"Look  here !"  suddenly  exclaimed  Hawkins,  and  he 
commenced  to  read  from  a  paper  of  June  15th,  these 
headlines : 


BATTLE  AT  THE  CHINCHAS. 


Peruvian  Land  Forces  Attacked  by  the  British  North 
Pacific  Squadron. 


The  Battleship  Iris  Sunk. 


Cruisers  Cambridge  and  Oxford  Placed  Hors  de  Com- 
bat and  the  Latter  Captured. 


British  Loss  Nearly  Five  Hundred. 


Battleship  Miraflores,  Signalled  by  the  Wireless  Tele- 
graph, Arrives  as  the  Engagement  Is  at  Its 
Height  and  Assists  in  the  Defeat. 


"Bravo,  for  Captain  Heatherton!"  exclaimed  Cap- 
tain Crane. 

"Bravo  for  Captain  Sinclair!"  responded  the  ad- 


In  the  North  Atlantic  277 

miral,  "As  I  thought,  both  have  seen  Hvely  action, 
even  if  they  did  remain  on  the  coast.  Hawkins,  read 
us  the  account,  v^all  you,  please,"  and  he  passed  back 
the  newspaper  to  the  correspondent. 

When  the  latter  had  finished,  the  commander-in- 
chief  said :  'That  disposes  of  any  fear  that  our  coun- 
trymen may  have  suffered  harm,  and  we  will  now  look 
for  what  immediately  concerns  us." 

All  three  again  delved  into  the  newspapers  and  ex- 
changed comments  as  they  read.  It  was  evident  from 
the  dispatches  that  the  whereabouts  of  the  Peruvian 
fleet  after  the  battle  of  Valparaiso  had  proved  a  puzzle 
for  all  who  v/ere  interested.  A  cablegram  said  that 
President  Pedro  had  been  asked  and  had  refused  to 
answer.  Another  said  that  a  staff  correspondent  had 
sailed  from  Callao  on  a  launch,  had  endeavored  to  land 
at  the  Chinchas,  and  had  been  ordered  away  by  the 
commandant. 

''Good  for  Sinclair!"  exclaimed  the  admiral. 

The  tenor  of  the  dispatches  from  this  date  were  to 
the  effect  that  the  Peruvian  fleet  had  returned  to  the 
landlocked  harbor  of  the  Chincha  Islands  and  that  the 
naval  forces  were  there  waiting  the  British  attack. 
Meanwhile  there  were  columns  of  news  concerning  the 
preparations  that  were  being  made  at  the  English  navy 
yards.  The  names  of  all  the  British  ships  that  would 
go  forth  to  do  battle  were  given,  together  with  par- 
ticulars concerning  guns,  ammunition,  personnel,  etc. 

"This  is  all  very  valuable,"  remarked  Admiral  Gar- 
cia, and  he  asked  that  such  references  be  carefully 
clipped  and  handed  to  him. 


278  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Ah!"  suddenly  exclaimed  Captain  Crane.  "Here 
is  what  we  want,"  and  he  read : 

"London,  July  3. — The  Channel  and  the  Mediter- 
ranean squadrons,  under  Admiral  His  Grace  the  Duke 
of  Manchester,  sailed  from  Portsmouth  this  morning. 
There  will  be  a  stop  of  two  days  at  Gibraltar  for  cable 
advices  and  coal,  and  then  the  fleet  will  sail  for  South 
American  waters,"  etc. 

Admiral  Garcia  had  started  to  his  feet.  "Mr.  San- 
doval," he  said,  rapidly,  "signal  the  fleet  to  get  under 
way,  thirty-five  knots,  close  sailing  order,  follow  the 
flag-ship,  course  about  north  by  east;  more  definite 
sailing  instructions  to  be  issued  later." 

The  cabin  was  soon  deserted  and  from  the  bridge 
the  officers  watched  the  great  warships  of  Peru  close 
up  the  distances  between  them,  and  with  smoke  pour- 
ing from  their  funnels  start  on  this  final  run  of  the  long 
voyage  to  meet  the  enemy.  Soon  spray  commenced  to 
fly  over  the  Oroya ;  it  dashed  even  as  far  aft  as  the 
bridge,  for  they  were  steaming  into  the  teeth  of  a  stiff 
east  wind. 

South  of  them,  hull  down,  only  the  funnels  visible, 
was  the  Cunarder,  making  her  way  for  the  Barbados. 


CHAPTER  XX. 
THE  ENGAGEMENT  OFF  THE  SPANISH  COAST 

"At  daybreak  the  enemy  should  be  near  this  point, 
off  the  lower  Spanish  coast,"  said  Admiral  Garcia  y 
Garcia,  as  he  put  down  a  pencil  with  which  he  had 
been  tracing  on  a  large  map  that  was  flat  on  the  table. 

"Yes,  sir,"  repHed  the  flag  lieutenant;  "for  they 
left  Southampton  on  July  3d — that  is,  providing  they 
remained  but  two  days  at  Gibraltar." 

"All  the  information  secured  from  the  liner  tends  to 
show  that  no  other  programme  was  contemplated; 
does  it  not?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Then  there  is  nearly  every  chance  that  the  fleets 
are  now  passing  out  to  sea." 

At  9  o'clock  this  evening — the  7th  of  July — the 
Oroya  and  consorts  were  three  hundred  miles  from 
Gibraltar,  and  speed  had  been  reduced  to  twenty-five 
knots,  with  orders  to  travel  even  slower  after  4  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  Until  sundown  they  had  been  run- 
ning at  thirty-five  knots  since  leaving  the  liner  and 
the  decks  had  been  continually  wet  with  spray.  A 
gale  came  the  second  day,  but  there  was  no  signal  to 
reduce  speed,  and  battleships  and  cruisers  ploughed 
their  way  through  seas  which  svvcpt  them  like  water 
running  over  a  mill  race.  When  the  wind  was  blow- 
ing its  fiercest  the  vessels  maintained  a  speed  of  thirty- 

279 


28o  The  Engagement 

two  knots,  proof  of  the  longitudinal  screws'  great 
power.  But  something  was  bound  to  give  way  be- 
neath this  torrent  of  water,  and  when  the  gale  sub- 
sided, twelve  hours  later,  and  only  the  spray  was  flying, 
a  score  of  machinists  were  put  to  work  on  each  vessel, 
straightening  stanchions  and  iron-work  of  the  super- 
structures. 

Many  papers  were  spread  before  the  ofificers  in  the 
cabin  this  evening.  They  represented  the  work  of  a 
dozen  men  from  the  paymaster's  department,  who  had 
been  directed  in  their  labors  by  the  flag  secretary  since 
the  day  the  liner  was  left  astern.  The  dispatches  in 
the  New  York  newspapers  had  been  read  and  re-read 
and  the  facts  in  the  reports  culled  from  the  chafif. 
There  were  cablegrams  from  continental  cities  relative 
to  the  British  fleet,  as  well  as  messages  from  London. 
So  conscientiously  had  the  foreign  correspondents 
performed  their  duty  that  it  was  possible  for  the 
Oroya's  officers  to  learn  the  name  of  every  ship  at- 
tached to  the  Channel  and  Mediterranean  squadrons, 
and  in  most  instances  their  condition  at  the  day  of 
sailing.  The  positive  statement  was  made  that  the 
vessels  would  be  divided  into  two  fleets,  one  active  and 
one  reserve,  and  that  the  second  would  follow  the  first 
within  signaling  distance,  but  would  not  take  part  in 
any  engagement  unless  ordered  by  the  commander- 
in-chief.  The  combined  forces  were  under  the  Duke  of 
Manchester,  who  sailed  with  the  active  fleet,  and  Rear 
Admiral  Lord  Harry  Smythe  was  in  command  of  the 
reserves. 

From  this  information  and  from  their  knowledge  of 


The  Engagement 


281 


the  British  manner  of  naval  maneuver  the  officers  who 
had  collated  the  facts  and  figures  were  able  to  place 
before  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  a  Hst  of  the  two  fleets 
classified  into  divisions.  The  plans  of  every  British 
warship  were  on  the  Oroya  and  the  number  of  guns 
carried  was  known  to  the  Peruvians,  even  to  the  small- 
est rapid-fire  piece,  except  a  few  of  the  latter  that  had 
probably  been  shipped  at  Southampton. 

The  document  which  the  admiral  first  scanned  was 
the  one  w^hich  presented  the  enemy  in  the  following 
battle  formation: 

ACTIVE   FLEET. 

Admiral  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Manchester  in  Com- 
mand. 

Battleships. 

1st  Division.  26.  Division.  3d  Division. 

Brutus  (flag  of  the         Daredevil.  Mephisto. 

commander-in-chief) . 

Mavourneen.  Restoration.  Cyclops. 

Amorqeaux. 

Cruisers. 


1st  Division. 

Fenwick. 
Coventry. 
Dundee. 
Newcastle. 


2d  Division. 

Derbyshire. 
Cardifl^. 
Ellsworth. 
Appleyaird. 


3d  Division. 

Roscommon. 

Ayleshire. 

Rugby. 


282  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Torpedo-boats. 

1st.  Group — Destruction,  Energetic. 
2d.  Group — Hurricane,  Tornado. 
3d.  Group — Terrific,  Terrible. 

RESERVE  FLEET. 
Rear  Admiral  Lord  Henry  Smythe  in  Command. 
Battleships. 
1st  Division. 


Nelson  (flag  of  the 
commander-in-chief) . 
Devereaux. 


Cruisers. 


1st  Division. 

Castel. 

Ferrymount. 

Kildare. 


2d  Division. 
Corn  walls. 

Gloucester. 


2d  Division. 

Castlerea. 
Longford. 


Torpedo-boats. 


1st.  Group — Audacious,  Adventurer. 
2d.  Group — Pert,  Ne'er-do-well. 

"So,  they  have  thirty-seven  ships  in  all !"  exclaimed 
Admiral  Garcia,  as  he  passed  the  paper  to  Captain 
Crane ;  "and  we  are  seven !  Now,  as  to  the  tonnage, 
Mr.  Sandoval." 

The  flag  officer  handed  his  superior  a  sheet  of  fools- 
cap that  was  covered  with  figures.  ^ 


The  Engag-ement  283 

"Not  so  great  as  I  thought,"  said  the  commander-in- 
chief.  'They  register  241,570  tons,  exclusive  of  the 
torpedo-boats,  and  we  register  135,000  tons;  they  are 
not  double  our  weight  in  metal,  though  five  times  our 
number  and  even  more.  Were  the  Miraflores  and  the 
Chorillos  here  the  comparison  in  dead  weight  would  be 
but  little  in  their  favor.     How  about  the  guns,  sir?" 

A  third  table  of  figures  was  given  him. 

"All  told  three  hundred  and  eleven  pieces  in  the 
main  batteries  against  our  forty-seven,  eh?  Numeri- 
cally that  is  a  strong  showing.  And  if  numerical  pre- 
ponderance counted  Great  Britain  would  have  Httle 
difficulty  in  winning  to-morrow's  engagement." 

"Then  you  have  no  thought  of  defeat?"  asked  Haw- 
kins. 

"There  is  always  a  possibility,  Carey,"  replied  the 
admiral.  "Some  persons  have  compared  a  naval  en- 
gagement to  a  game  of  chess,  but  that  is  an  error,  for 
there  is  an  element  of  chance  in  the  former  that  is  ab- 
sent in  the  latter.  Eliminate  this  element  of  chance 
and  there  would  be  no  doubt  of  our  victory.  The 
three  great  factors  in  an  engagement  between  modern 
warships  are  speed,  armor  and  armament.  The  fast- 
est of  the  British  ships  make  20.5  knots  an  hour. 
There  are  five  of  these  vessels  in  the  active  fleet,  the 
Fenwick,  Coventry,  Dundee,  Roscommon  and  New- 
castle, and  one  in  the  reserve  fleet,  the  Castel.  To 
move  at  this  speed  these  cruisers  would  be  compelled 
to  act  independently.  The  speed  of  a  squadron  being 
the  speed  of  the  slowest  vessel.  Great  Britain's  active 
fleet  will  be  compelled  to  move  at  17.5  knots,  which  is 


284  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  maximum  speed  of  her  battleships,  and  her  reserve 
fleet  at  12  knots,  the  maximum  speed  of  the  Devereaux 
and  the  CornwaHs.  We  can  steam  twice  as  fast  as  the 
actives  and  three  times  as  fast  as  the  reserves.  The  sides 
of  our  ships,  when  the  protective  shells  are  raised,  will 
not  be  as  thick,  measured  in  inches,  as  the  14.9-inch 
sides  of  the  Brutus  and  her  sister  ships,  but  you 
have  had  ample  illustration  of  the  resistance  offered 
by  our  plates  of  malleable  steel.  The  armament  of  the 
enemy  is  not  to  be  compared  with  ours  when  range 
and  weight  of  projectile  are  considered.  The  heaviest 
guns  on  their  battleships  are  the  12-inch,  which  are 
not  only  smaller  than  our  pieces,  but  are  not  con- 
structed to  withstand  the  strain  to  v/hich  our  16  and 
15-inch  guns  are  subjected  by  the  smokeless  powder 
manufactured  on  the  Chinchas.  Proportionately  to 
the  size  of  gun  the  projectiles  from  the  Oroya  will 
have  greater  initial  velocity  than  those  from  the 
Brutus." 

"Then  you  expect  an  easy  victory  ?"  the  correspond- 
ent asked,  as  the  admiral  took  up  another  paper  for 
examination. 

"By  no  means,"  he  repHed.  "There  is  always  the 
chance  of  a  shell  entering  one  of  the  gun  ports,  as 
happened  during  the  battle  of  Valparaiso,  or  a  weak 
spot  in  the  armor  may  be  found.  The  machinery  of 
one  or  more  of  our  ships  may  become  disabled,  and 
again  there  is  the  ubiquitous  torpedo,  but  of  the  latter 
I  have  not  much  concern,  for  we  shall  fight  at  long 
range,  as  long  range  as  possible,  for  I  will  take  no 
chances  as  I  did  in  Valparaiso  harbor." 


The  Engagement  285 

"That  reminds  me,  Louis,  why  did  you  steam  into 
the  harbor  alone  ?  Was  there  not  another  motive  than 
the  one  you  gave  at  the  time?" 

"Yes;  there  was.  I  wished  to  impress  the  British 
with  the  strength  of  our  navy  and  therefore  demon- 
strated what  one  ship  could  do.  The  result  is  as  I  ex- 
pected, and  a  most  powerful  fleet  has  been  mobilized 
to  proceed  against  us.  If  we  can  defeat  such  a  fleet  it 
will  practically  end  the  w^ar  and  Great  Britain  will  be 
compelled  to  give  us  the  recognition  as  a  nation  that 
we  demand.  And  now,  Carey,  I  must  look  over  these 
papers  for  an  hour  or  so ;  and  it  would  be  well  for  us 
all  to  turn  in  early  to-night." 

As  it  was  evident  that  the  commander-in-chief 
wished  to  confer  at  length  Vv'ith  his  chief  of  staff  con- 
cerning the  plan  of  battle  for  the  morrow,  Carey 
motioned  to  Lieutenant  Sandoval,  and  the  two  went 
on  the  bridge,  where  from  the  lee  of  the  canvas  that 
was  stretched  to  protect  the  watch  oiificers,  they  could 
see  the  swiftly  following  consorts,  now  moving  in  close 
saiHng  order. 

"That  is  the  Payta  immediately  astern,  is  it  not?" 
asked  the  correspondent. 

"Yes,"  replied  the  flag  officer.  "She  has  moved  up 
since  sundown." 

It  was  bright  moonlight  and  the  soft  rays  only 
obscured  now  and  then  by  fleecy  clouds.  The  silver 
rays  gave  abnormal  size  to  the  battleship  which  was 
nearest  the  Oroya.  Unnaturally  broad  of  beam  as  she 
and  her  sister  ships  were  when  compared  with  vessels 


286  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

of  other  nations,  the  Payta  this  night,  under  the  decep- 
tive Hght,  seemed  to  be  almost  circular  in  shape. 

"We  have  read  of  floating  fortresses,"  remarked 
Hawkins,  "but  there  was  never  such  an  illustration. 
You  have  of  course  noticed  those  immense  castles  of 
stone  that  guard  Callao  ?  Does  not  the  Payta  resem- 
ble one  of  them?" 

"Yes,  and  as  with  those  castles  so  with  her,  the  guns 
are  not  visible  until  time  for  action." 

Keeping  parallel  with  the  Payta  and  off  the  star- 
board counter  of  the  Oroya  was  the  Pisco.  More  of 
her  side  could  be  seen  at  this  angle  and  the  breadth 
of  beam  did  not  so  dwarf  the  length.  Astern  of  the  Pay- 
ta and  the  Pisco  followed  the  battleship  Chorillos  and 
the  cruiser  Tambovisa,  and  following  them  were  the 
cruisers  Mejillones  and  Arica.  In  the  spectral  light  the 
two  last  named  seemed  to  be  phantoms — phantoms  of 
black  with  fire-glows  hanging  over  them,  showing 
where  the  funnels  cast  fumes  from  the  furnaces  into 
the  air. 

There  was  a  light  choppy  sea  running,  but  the  waves 
had  no  effect  on  the  massive  hulls  that  darted  through 
them,  and  so  they  broke  spitefully  on  the  bows  and 
windward  sides,  throwing  spray  over  the  rail. 

The  correspondent  and  the  flag  officer  remained  on 
the  bridge  until  the  bells  sounded  midnight ;  then,  fol- 
lowing Admiral  Garcia's  advice,  they  turned  in,  to 
rest  before  the  great  battle. 

The  mxorning  broke  clear,  with  a  crisp  breeze  coming 
out  of  the  north  and  curling  to  white  the  tops  of  the 
green  waves  that  had  by  this  time  become  regular 


The  Engagement  287 

before  the  steady  wind.  The  sun  was  well  up  from  the 
l:orizon  when  Admiral  Garcia  left  his  cabin  and  went 
on  the  bridge,  where  he  found  Captain  Crane,  the  navi- 
gator and  the  watch  officer. 

"Nothing  sighted  yet,  sir,"  said  the  Oroya's  com- 
mander. 

"It  is  hardly  time,"  replied  the  admiral,  and  then  he 
dispatched  a  messenger  to  summon  Lieutenant  Sando- 
val. Immediately  after  the  flag  lieutenant's  arrival 
signals  were  hoisted  on  the  Oroya  that  caused  her  con- 
sorts to  change  their  relative  positions.  The  fleet  had 
been  moving  at  15  knots,  in  wedge  formation,  the  flag- 
ship at  the  apex.  Now  the  vessels  following  at  once 
increased  their  speed  and  changed  course,  the  Payta, 
Chorillos  and  Mejillones  veering  to  port,  and  the 
Pisco,  Tambovisa  and  Arica  veering  to  starboard. 
Their  angles  of  divergence  were  so  different  that  after 
twenty  minutes,  when  they  resumed  15-knot  speed, 
they  were  all  on  a  line,  steaming  due  east,  the  Oroya 
in  the  middle,  and  each  ship  a  mile  from  the  other. 
This  maneuver  was  executed  so  that  a  greater  sea 
range  might  be  covered  by  the  lookouts  who  had  been 
sent  to  the  mastheads,  and  the  fleet  had  taken  the 
same  formation  as  when  watch  was  being  kept  for  a 
transatlantic  liner  in  the  latitude  of  New  York. 

A  war  veteran,  placed  on  the  Oroya  or  on  any  vessel 
of  the  Peruvian  fleet  at  this  hour,  would  have  known 
that  a  battle  was  impending,  even  though  not  made 
acquainted  with  the  happenings  of  the  last  few  days ; 
one  who  had  not  seen  the  horrors  of  war  would  have 
known  that  a  crisis  was  at  hand,  and  probably  would 


288  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

have  guessed  the  truth.  There  was  something  written 
on  the  face  of  every  man,  from  the  admiral  down  to 
the  stoker  who  came  above  for  a  glance  around,  that 
he  might  tell  his  comrades  who  toiled  below  at  the 
furnaces  what  he  had  seen  on  deck,  and  this  something 
can  be  seen  only  just  before  a  battle.  It  would  dis- 
appear when  the  guns  commenced  to  roar  and  the 
shells  to  fly;  it  would  not  be  seen  when  men  were 
being  killed  and  machinery  was  being  disabled;  it 
would  be  gone  when  Death  stalked  from  port  to  star- 
board and  from  bow  to  stern.  But  before  the  battle, 
before  the  gun  roar,  before  the  shell  screech,  before 
the  arrival  of  Death,  the  expression  can  be  seen  and 
there  is  no  word  that  will  describe  it ;  those  who  have 
been  in  battle  will  understand ;  those  who  have  not 
can  never,  quite. 

They  had  been  steaming  under  this  new  formation 
something  more  than  a  half  hour  and  the  bell  amid- 
ships on  the  flag-ship  had  sounded  twice — 9  o'clock 
landsman's  time — when  the  watch  officer  called  atten- 
tion to  a  signal  hoisted  on  the  Payta.  The  leaves  of 
the  code  book  were  hastily  turned  and  Lieutenant 
Sandavol  reported :  "Signal  repeated  from  the  Mejil- 
lones,  sir,  that  smoke  is  sighted  off  the  port  bow." 

Admiral  Garcia  made  a  gesture  which  Captain  Crane 
and  the  flag  officer  understood.  The  former  gave  an 
order  and  the  Oroya's  head  swung  quarter  round  the 
compass;  at  the  same  time  the  indicator  called  for 
25  knots.  Lieutenant  Sandoval  caused  signals  to  be 
hoisted,  ordering  the  fleet  to  close  up  with  the  Me- 
jillones  as  a  base.    At  this  time  the  Mejillones  was 


The  Engagement  289 

on  the  extreme  left  or  port  side,  three  miles  distam 
from  the  Oroya  and  six  miles  from  the  Arica,  which 
was  on  the  extreme  right.  To  execute  the  order  the 
ships  proceeded  at  different  rates  of  speed,  the  Arica 
racing  at  35  knots ;  and  within  ten  minutes  the  wedge- 
like formation  of  the  morning  was  resumed,  the  Oroya 
taking  the  position  occupied  by  the  Mejillones  when 
the  latter  first  signaled,  and  the  Mejillones  falling  back 
to  the  position  astern  of  the  Chorillos. 

The  smoke  on  the  horizon  had  increased  in  volume 
and  from  the  masthead  came  the  cry :  'Tt's  a  fleet, 
sir!" 

"General  quarters  !  Prepare  for  action  !  Slow  down 
to  five  knots !"  ordered  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia. 

Signal  flags  and  megaphones,  bugle  calls  and  drum 
rolls  carried  the  command  to  ships  and  men.  If  a 
tornado  had  swept  high  over  the  Peruvian  fleet  and 
had  carried  away  the  lighter  spars  the  effect  to  the 
vision  would  have  been  the  same,  for  down  came 
cross-pieces  simultaneously  on  battleships  and  cruis- 
ers, then  the  masts  were  telescoped  and  the  sides  began 
to  rise,  and  the  superstructures  disappeared. 

Once  more  Admiral  Garcia  and  stafif  were  assembled 
in  the  conning  tower,  prepared  for  action.  Captain 
Crane  w^as  there  and  so  was  Correspondent  Hawkins, 
but  the  subordinate  ofBcers  were  not  the  same  as  those 
who  had  gazed  through  the  slits  nearly  a  month  be- 
fore in  Valparaiso  harbor.  Lieutenant  Sandoval  had 
succeeded  Lieutenant  Cordero,  killed  in  action,  and 
Lieutenant  Miles  and  Ensign  Quigley  had  been  se- 
lected this  morning  by  Captain  Crane  as  members  of 


290  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

his  personal  staff.  Even  the  signal  quartermaster  and 
the  quartermaster  at  the  wheel  were  not  the  same  as  on 
that  memorable  night. 

"Ascertain  the  range  as  quickly  as  possible,  sir,"  said 
the  admiral,  when  all  hands  were  at  stations,  and  at 
once  Lieutenant  Miles  stepped  on  the  platform,  having 
in  hand  the  instrument  which  determines  the  distance 
between  vessels  at  sea. 

"Are  you  going  to  open  fire  at  once,  Louis?"  asked 
the  correspondent. 

"Yes." 

"But  they  don't  know  who  you  are;  they  certainly 
cannot  expect  you  to  be  in  this  latitude." 

"That  is  probably  so,  but  they  will  soon  learn.  We 
must  take  every  advantage  this  day." 

Just  then  Lieutenant  Miles  called  out  the  range.  He 
gave  the  distance  in  metres,  the  standard  of  measure- 
ment in  the  Peruvian  navy.  Computed  by  yards  it 
equalled  nearly  seven  miles — a  long  way,  surely,  but 
by  this  time  the  ships  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen 
separately — there  were  perhaps  a  half  dozen  in  the 
van,  and  smoke  astern  of  them  indicated  the  presence 
of  others,  yet  all  were  so  far  away  that  battleships  could 
only  be  determined  from  cruisers  by  their  low  lying 
hulls. 

"Captain  Crane,  you  may  fire  at  will,  but  have  every 
shot  count.  Mr.  Sandoval,  tell  the  Pisco,  Payta  and 
Chorillos  to  do  the  same  with  their  bow  guns." 

Again  the  range  finder  called  out  and  the  words 
were  repeated  from  conning  tower  to  gun  deck,  then 
on  to  the  bow,  where  the  crew  of  the  great  1 6-inch 


The  Engagement  291 

were  swinging  the  piece  into  position,  directed  by  the 
officer  at  that  station,  who  glanced  along  the  telescope 
sight.  They  waited  for  one  more  call  from  the  range 
finder.  It  came.  "Fire !"  exclaimed  the  officer,  and 
with  a  majestic  recoil  the  great  gun  sent  its  massive 
projectile  whirling  through  the  air. 

Telescopes  had  been  leveled  by  those  In  the  conning 
tower.  One,  two,  three  seconds  passed,  then  Captain 
Crane,  turning  quickly,  called  down  to  the  gun  deck : 
"Pass  the  word  forward — Good  shot!  One  of  the 
enemy  hit !" 

For  they  had  not  seen  the  shell  strike  the  water. 
Had  it  done  so  the  spray,  thrown  in  the  sunlight, 
would  have  been  distinctly  visible.  What  damage  had 
been  wrought  they  could  not  tell,  so  far  away  were  the 
enemy;  a  plate  might  have  been  dented  on  a  battle- 
ship and  the  missile  might  then  have  fallen  harmless 
into  the  sea,  but  it  had  struck  and  that  was  a  good 
beginning. 

By  this  time  the  Payta,  Pisco  and  Chorillos  had 
opened  fire  and  spray  could  be  seen  flying  near  the 
English  vessels.  The  Oroya  began  to  tremble  in  every 
plate,  and  to  make  oneself  heard  a  dozen  feet  away 
without  the  megaphone  was  impossible,  for  the  15- 
inch  guns  on  the  port  side  had  joined  the  16-inch  in 
the  bow,  and  every  minute  projectiles  were  being 
hurled  from  the  flag-ship. 

Puffs  of  white  smoke  could  now  be  seen  ahead  and 
the  water  became  dotted  here  and  there  where  projec- 
tiles fell. 

"The  enemy  has  opened  fire,  sir!"  exclaimed  Cap- 


292  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

tain  Crane,  "and  some  of  their  ships  are  without 
smokeless  powder.  They  are  spreading  out,  sir — that 
close  order  made  them  too  good  a  target." 

"We  have  them  bothered  at  any  rate  when  they  will 
waste  ammunition  like  that,"  said  Admiral  Garcia. 
"This  waiting  game  pays.  How  fast  do  you  think 
they  are  steaming,  Captain?" 

"About  fifteen  knots,  sir." 

"Mr.  Sandoval,  signal  the  fleet  to  maintain  the  same 
relative  positions  and  steam  astern  at  fifteen  knots." 

During  the  preliminary  firing,  while  the  Peruvians 
were  forging  ahead  with  barely  steerage-way,  the  Brit- 
ish fieet  had  approached  somewhat  nearer,  probably 
to  within  six  miles.  But  now  the  Peruvian  ships  began 
to  move  at  the  same  speed  and  in  the  same  direction, 
and  it  became  an  aggravating  chase  by  the  many  ships 
after  the  few,  with  not  a  possibility  of  the  distance  be^ 
ing  lessened  until  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  gave  the 
word. 

It  was  evident  that  the  English  admiral  did  not  rea- 
lize the  speed  advantage  possessed  by  the  Peruvians 
and  believed  it  possible  to  overtake  his  foe  with  his  en- 
tire fleet,  for  dense  clouds  of  black  smoke  hanging  over 
the  ships  told  that  the  furnaces  were  being  fed  all  the 
coal  they  could  consume.  Puffs  of  white  frequently 
lightened  this  black,  and  then  would  come  rolling  over 
the  water  reports  of  heavy  ordnance,  and  shells  would 
fall  near  the  warships  of  Peru,  for  the  British  had 
found  the  range  and  were  firing  less  recklessly  now. 

All  these  observations  were  made  on  the  Oroya 
while  her  great  bow  gun  and  those  on  the  port  side, 


The  Engagement  293 

which  were  but  an  inch  smaller  in  calibre,  were  being 
discharged  with  the  regularity  of  clock-work. 

"What's  that?"  suddenly  exclaimed  Admiral  Garcia, 
pointing  to  the  left  wing  of  the  enemy,  where  smoke 
of  a  lighter  color  commenced  to  rise  in  volume. 

"One  of  them  is  on  fire,  sir,"  repHed  Captain  Crane, 
after  he  had  gazed  a  minute  in  the  direction  indicated. 
"She  is  being  left  astern  by  the  others.  No,  there  is 
one  ship  standing  by  to  render  aid.  Judging  from  the 
position  she  held  in  the  squadron  and  from  her  lines 
now  that  she  is  away  from  the  other  vessels  I  think  she 
is  the  cruiser  Derbyshire,  sir." 

At  this  moment  a  shell  struck  the  Oroya's  protective 
side  and  burst.  A  splinter  of  steel  hit  the  captain's 
telescope,  which  projected  several  inches  from  the  slit 
in  the  conning  tower  through  which  he  was  watching 
the  maneuvers,  and  it  was  torn  from  his  hands.  The 
eyepiece  flew  up  and  cut  his  cheek.  Those  in  the 
conning  tower  saw  the  blood  and  thought  he  had  been 
wounded  by  the  projectile,  and  the  surgeon  was  sum- 
moned. 

"It's  nothing,"  he  exclaimed,  pointing  to  a  piece  of 
twisted  brass  that  had  fallen  to  the  platform — all  that 
was  left  of  the  telescope.  "Mr.  Quigley,  let  me  take 
your  glass  until  the  messenger  fetches  me  another 
from  below." 

This  incident  distracted  their  attention  from  the 
enemy  for  a  minute  or  more,  and  before  they  looked 
again  a  dull,  heavy  roar,  different  from  the  report  of 
ordnance,  came  over  the  water.  When  their  glasses 
svere  again  brought  to  bear  the  cruiser  which  had  been 


294  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

on  fire  seemed  to  be  the  center  of  a  waterspout,  and 
when  the  liquid  mass  fell  the  ship  was  bows  in  air. 

"She's  sinking!"  exclaimed  the  senior  watch.  'The 
fire  must  have  reached  the  ammunition." 

It  was  but  little  more  than  a  minute,  certainly  not 
two,  before  the  sea  closed  over  her,  and  then  the 
Oroya's  officers  saw  black  specks  on  the  water  near 
where  she  went  down  and  they  knew  that  small  boats 
had  been  sent  from  the  sister  cruiser  to  rescue  from 
drowning  those  who  had  escaped  the  force  of  the  ex- 
plosion. 

"I  think  four  of  the  enemy  are  forcing  ahead  of  the 
main  fleet,"  remarked  Captain  Crane. 

It  was  soon  apparent  that  he  was  correct,  and,  al- 
though the  British  battleships  continued  firing,  the 
vessels  that  had  separated  from  the  squadron  came  on 
with  guns  silent. 

"They  are  cruisers,"  said  the  admiral. 

"Yes,  sir;  I  think  they  are  the  Fenwick,  Coventry, 
Dundee  and  Newcastle." 

"What  is  their  speed,  Mr.  Sandoval?" 

"Twenty  and  five-tenth  knots,  sir,"  replied  the  flag 
lieutenant,  referring  to  the  papers  that  he  had  brought 
from  the  cabin.  "They  are  the  ships  you  spoke  about 
last  evening,  sir." 

"And  their  guns?" 

"Sixteen  6-inch  pieces  on  the  Fenwick  and  Coven- 
try, sir,  and  on  the  Dundee  and  Newcastle  two  9.2- 
inch  and  ten  6-inch." 

"The  9-inch  pieces  might  do  some  damage  to  our 
cruisers  at  close  range;  but  let  them  come." 


The  Engagement  295 

The  British  battleships  were  firing  more  methodi- 
cally by  this  time.  The  Oroya  had  been  struck  twice 
since  the  bursting  shell  had  knocked  the  telescope  from 
Captain  Crane's  hand,  but  no  damage  had  been  done 
her.  The  Tambovisa  had  signaled,  "One  man  killed 
and  three  wounded  by  a  shell  splinter,"  and  Ensign 
Quigley  had  reported  that  a  part  of  the  Mejillones' 
forward  smokestack  had  been  carried  away. 

At  5  bells,  or  half  past  ten  o'clock,  this  was  the  situ- 
ation :  The  Peruvian  fleet  was  steaming  with  reversed 
engines  at  the  same  speed  as  the  enemy,  and  their 
position  w^as  such  that  their  bow  guns  could  be  kept 
in  action.  Only  the  battleships  of  the  Peruvians  had 
opened  fire  and  of  these  the  Oroya  was  the  only  one 
that  had  used  the  side  batteries.  In  the  British  fleet 
the  fire  was  confined  to  the  battleships  of  the  first 
division,  the  others,  since  the  wild  shooting  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  engagement,  having  come  doggedly  on 
in  silence.  The  four  English  cruisers  had  slowly  drawn 
away  from  the  main  fleet  and  at  this  hour  were  two 
miles  ahead  of  the  Brutus,  flag-ship,  and  four  miles 
from  the  Peruvians. 

"I'll  give  them  another  fifteen  minutes,"  said  Ad- 
miral Garcia.  "Captain  Crane,  pass  the  word  for  the 
gunners  to  leave  those  advancing  ships  alone  and  to 
concentrate  their  fire  on  the  enemy's  flag-ship." 

The  same  order  was  signaled  the  Payta,  the  Choril- 
los  and  the  Pisco. 

To  rest  the  men  in  the  starboard  batteries  the  course 
of  the  Oroya  was  changed  at  this  time,  so  as  to  bring 
the  port  guns  into  play. 


296  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

After  ten  minutes'  work  at  the  guns  under  these  new 
orders,  Lieutenant  Miles,  who  had  been  ordered  to 
watch  closely  the  effect,  reported:  "The  Brutus  is 
dropping  astern,  sir;  she  has  ceased  firing." 

"That  demonstrates  how  it  pays  to  concentrate  one's 
energy,"  remarked  the  admiral.  "Now  for  the  cruis- 
ers!   Mr.  Sandoval,  signal,  'Cease  firing.'  " 

At  this  hour — 10:45  o'clock — the  four  swift  ships  of 
the  British  fleet  had  approached  to  within  three  miles 
of  the  Peruvians  and  therefore  were  equidistant  from 
the  opposing  squadrons.  The  guns  of  the  Peruvians 
became  silent,  and  only  an  occasional  shot  came  from 
the  enemy,  for  it  was  evident  that  all  hands  on  the 
English  vessels  were  waiting  the  outcome  of  the  man- 
euver being  executed  by  the  Fenwick,  Coventry,  Dun- 
dee and  Newcastle. 

"Mr.  Sandoval,  signal  the  Payta,  Chorillos  and  the 
Pisco  to  follow  the  flag-ship,  thirty-five  knots,  close 
sailing  order !"  sharply  ordered  Admiral  Garcia.  "Cap- 
tain Crane,  swing  to  starboard  so  as  to  pass  to  wind- 
ward of  the  Fenwick,  then  run  between  the  cruisers 
and  the  main  fleet,  steering  as  close  as  possible  to  the 
former,  maintaining  thirty-five  knots  all  the  way!" 

Over  went  the  Oroya's  indicator  to  the  number 
mentioned  and  the  flag-ship  suddenly  stopped,  then 
dashed  ahead  and  swung  off  several  points,  the  other 
battle-ships  following.  The  Tambovisa,  Mejillones  and 
Arica,  not  having  received  orders,  continued  as  they 
were. 

To  an  engineer  on  a  swiftly  moving  locomotive, 
objects  in  front  appear  as  though  moving  toward  him 


The  Engagement  297 

and  they  grow  rapidly  in  size.  Hawkins  experienced 
this  optical  illusion  while  gazing  through  a  slit  in  the 
conning  tower.  The  Oroya  and  her  great  consorts 
were  moving  at  35  knots  an  hour ;  the  British  advance 
squadron  at  20  and  the  main  fleet  at  16.  As  they 
were  moving  toward  one  another  the  apparent  speed 
was  nearly  sixty  miles  an  hour. 

In  less  than  five  minutes  the  Oroya  again  altered  her 
course,  this  time  to  port,  and  started  on  her  run  be- 
tween the  cruisers  and  the  fleet.  She  approached  so 
close  to  the  Fenwick,  which  was  on  the  left  wing,  that 
the  faces  of  men  at  the  gun-ports  could  be  seen  and 
every  rope  of  the  rigging  stood  out  distinctly.  Not  a 
shot  w^as  fired  by  either  side  until  the  moment  when 
the  Oroya  turned,  and  it  was  the  moment  when  the 
faces  at  the  gun-ports  were  seen.  Then  the  bow  gun 
of  the  Peruvian  flag-ship  spoke  and  the  great  16-inch 
projectile  struck  the  Fenwick  just  forward  of  the 
bridge  and  tore  a  hole  through  the  armor.  She  re- 
plied feebly,  with  four  of  her  16-inch  pieces,  but  either 
because  of  the  excitement  on  board  or  because  of  the 
inabiHty  to  gauge  the  speed  of  the  Peruvian,  the  shells 
went  wild.  Immediately  the  Oroya's  port  broadside 
was  fired,  and  instantly — for  there  was -no  smoke  to 
obscure  the  vision — the  havoc  of  it  could  be  seen  from 
the  conning  tower.  A  sponson  amidship  on  the  cruis- 
er had  been  split  in  twain,  a  gun  dismounted,  and 
above  the  crash  and  the  din  they  could  hear  the  shriek 
of  sailors  who  had  been  wounded  and  they  could  see 
trunks  of  bodies  and  arms  and  legs  nailed  to  twisted 
pieces  of  iron  and  woodwork  that  commenced  to  smol- 


298  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

der  where  fires  had  been  started.  At  this  moment 
the  starboard  batteries  were  fired  at  the  main  fleet  of 
the  British,  now  but  little  more  than  two  miles  distant. 

The  signal,  "fire  at  will,"  had  been  hoisted,  and  as 
the  Oroya  swept  past  the  Fenwick  the  Pisco  came 
abreast  of  the  British  cruiser  and  delivered  another 
murderous  broadside.  As  she  did  so  the  Peruvian  flag- 
ship reached  a  point  opposite  the  Coventry  and  again 
the  16-inch  and  the  side  batteries  roared.  Then  the 
Oroya  swept  on  from  the  Coventry  to  the  Dundee  and 
from  the  Dundee  to  the  Newcastle,  and  while  her  port 
guns  delivered  blows  at  short  range  to  the  cruisers 
the  starboard  batteries  engaged  the  battle-ships  and 
other  vessels  of  the  active  fleet.  As  did  the  Oroya  so 
did  her  consorts,  swinging  through  the  sea  of  cross- 
fire and  plying  the  guns  as  fast  as  men  and  the 
improved  machinery  could  work. 

In  five  minutes  they  were  out  of  it  and  were  steam- 
ing back  to  join  the  Tambovisa,  Mejillones  and  Arica. 
And  this  is  what  they  left  astern :  The  Fenwick  sink- 
ing by  the  bow ;  the  Coventry  on  fire  and  men  jumping 
from  her  sides;  the  Dundee  drifting  helplessly,  her 
steering  gear  having  been  shot  away,  and  the  New- 
castle with  no  flag  flying,  for  in  the  face  of  the  terrific 
fire  she  had  surrendered  to  the  red,  white  and  red  of 
Peru. 

"Make  your  report,  Mr.  Quigley,'*  said  Admiral 
Garcia,  as  they  rounded  to. 

The  ensign  had  been  stationed  on  the  starboard  side 
of  the  conning  tower  when  the  flag-ship  entered  into 
close  action,  his  instructions  being  to  pay  no  atten- 


The  Engagement  299 

tion  to  the  cruisers,  but  carefully  observe  the  main 
fleet  and  make  notes  of  everything. 

"The  Brutus  is  disabled,  sir,"  replied  the  junior  offi- 
cer, as  he  stepped  down  from  the  observation  plat- 
form, "and  small  boats  are  putting  off  from  her,  so  I 
believe  she  is  being  abandoned.  The  flag  of  the  ad- 
miral has  been  hoisted  on  the  Mavourneen.  The  Cy- 
clops, another  of  the  first  division  battleships,  also 
seems  to  be  disabled.  She  was  drifting  broadside  to 
the  sea  and  did  not  fire  a  gun  while  we  were  passing. 
The  cruisers  Cardiff  and  Ellsworth  are  on  fire.  The 
enemy  have  started  two  torpedo-boats  after  us,  sir. 
I  believe  you  can  see  them  if  you  glance  astern." 

"They  might  as  well  husband  their  fuel,"  Admiral 
Garcia  said,  not  deigning  to  even  look  in  the  direction 
of  the  enemy ;  "they  can  never  overtake  us.  Anything 
else,  Mr.  Quigley?" 

"Yes,  sir.  The  reserve  fleet  has  been  ordered  into 
action.  I  could  make  them  out  about  ten  miles  to  lee- 
ward, sir." 

"O,  they  are !  Well,  we  will  rest  a  little  before  we 
engage  them." 

Turning  to  the  flag  lieutenant,  he  said:  "Order 
cease  firing,  sir!" 

The  battleships,  suddenly  silent,  steamed  swiftly  to- 
ward the  Peruvian  cruisers  that  were  maintaining  the 
same  speed  five  miles  away  as  when  the  squadron  had 
divided.  A  few  following  shots  came  from  the  Brit- 
ish, but  these  grew  less  as  the  distance  increased. 
In  fifteen  minutes  the  Peruvian  fleet  was  united  again 
and  steaming  in  wedge  formation  at  i6  knots,  main- 


300  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

taining  the  same  relative  distance  from  the  EngHsh 
ships  that  still  gave  pursuit. 

"Report  casualties !"  said  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia, 
and  signal  flags  repeating  the  order  were  hoisted. 

"None  on  the  Oroya,  sir,"  said  Captain  Crane,  who 
had  visited  the  gun  deck  as  soon  as  the  sharp  of  the 
fight  was  over. 

"Two  men  killed  on  the  Payta,  sir,"  reported  the 
flag  officer,  reading  the  signal  on  the  nearest  battle- 
ship. "Captain  Roderiguez  slightly  hurt,  but  able  to 
attend  to  duty. 

"The  Pisco  reports  one  man  killed. 

"The  Chorillos  reports  no  casualties. 

"The  Tambovisa  reports  one  killed  and  three 
wounded,  as  signaled  earlier." 

"Now,  Mr.  Sandoval,  from  the  table  you  brought 
from  the  cabin,  and  the  information  Mr.  Quigley 
has  furnished,  please  compute  the  enemy's  loss." 

The  flag  officer  checked  off  on  the  large  sheet  of 
paper  that  he  held  in  his  hand  since  entering  the  con- 
ning tower,  then  read: 

"Cruiser  Derbyshire,  7,700  tons,  carrying  one  9.2- 
inch  rifle  and  twelve  6-inch  rifles,  sunk  with  all  hands ; 
a  few  of  the  crew  rescued  by  the  Appleyaird. 

"First-rate  battleship  Brutus,  carrying  the  ad- 
miral's flag,  14,900  tons,  mounting  four  12-inch  rifles 
and  twelve  6-inch  quick-fire  pieces,  abandoned  and  be- 
lieved to  be  slowly  sinking. 

"First-rate  battleship  Cyclops,  sister  ship  to  the 
Brutus,  carrying  the  same  armament,  unmanageable 
and  drifting  at  will. 


The  Engagement  301 

"First-rate  cruiser  Fenwick,  ii,cx)0  tons,  carrying 
sixteen  6-inch  guns  in  the  main  battery,  sunk. 

"First-rate  cruiser  Coventry,  sister  ship  to  the  Fen- 
wick, on  fire  and  the  flames  seemingly  beyond  control. 

"First-rate  cruiser  Dundee,  7,350  tons,  carrying  two 
9,2-inch  rifles  and  ten  6-inch,  disabled  and  drifting. 

''First-rate  cruiser  Newcastle,  sister  ship  to  the  Dun- 
dee, surrendered  and  retiring  from  the  fighting  line.. 

"Second-rate  cruiser  Cardiff,  6,620  tons,  carrying 
eight  4.7-inch  rifles,  on  fire. 

"Second-rate  cruiser  Ellsworth,  carrying  four  6-inch 
and  six  4.7-inch  rifles,  on  fire  and  flames  beyond  con- 
trol." 

"Nearly  one-half  of  the  enemy's  fleet  placed  hors 
de  combat!"  exclaimed  Admiral  Garcia,  and  then  he 
said:  "Mr.  Sandoval,  signal  all  ships  to  lower  pro- 
tective sides  half  way  and  increase  the  speed  so  as  to 
place  a  distance  of  ten  miles  between  us  and  the 
enemy." 


CHAPTER    XXL 

THE   ENGAGEMENT   OFF   THE   SPANISH   COAST 
(CONTINUED). 

This  temporary  withdrawal  from  action  was  a  great 
relief  for  the  crews  of  the  Oroya  and  her  consorts. 
Although  a  smokeless  powder  was  used  in  the  Peru- 
vian navy  that  emitted  the  minimum  of  fumes,  yet  a 
certain  amount  of  gas  had  exuded  from  the  breeches  of 
the  guns,  and  during  the  heavy  firing  it  had  accumu- 
lated in  the  confined  spaces.  This  escaped  when  the 
protective  sides  were  partly  lowered  and  then,  after 
the  guns'  crews  had  worked  hard  for  half  an  hour, 
cleaning  the  pieces,  all  hands  were  piped  to  dinner. 

It  was  an  extraordinary  scene — that  of  the  men  of 
the  Peruvian  flag-ship,  seated  at  table,  enjoying  their 
mid-day  meal  at  leisure,  after  having  passed  through 
such  events  as  those  of  the  morning;  and  in  the  dis- 
tance a  shattered  fleet  and  clouds  of  smoke  rising  from 
burning  ships. 

Admiral  Garcia  permitted  two  hours  to  elapse  before 
ordering  the  engagement  renewed,  and  when  the  sig- 
nal, "prepare  for  action,"  was  hoisted,  the  men  of  his 
command  were  as  fresh  and  as  eager  for  the  fray  as 
they  were  before  sighting  the  enemy  in  the  morning. 

It  was  I  o'clock  when  the  protective  sides  were 
raised,  and  then  the  flags  conveyed  the  command: 
"Follow  the  Oroya;  close  steaming  order!" 

Captain  Crane  was  told  to  bear  down  on  the  enemy 
302 


The  Engagement  303 

and  lessen  the  distance  to  four  miles,  for  the  comman- 
der-in-chief had  decided  to  abandon  the  long-range 
tactics  of  the  morning  and  end  the  battle  before  night 
could  furnish  a  cover  under  which  any  ship  might  steal 
away. 

The  Peruvians  went  ahead  at  full  speed,  so  it  was 
but  a  matter  of  a  few  minutes  until  the  ships  of  the 
enemy  that  had  been  indistinct  on  the  horizon  Hne 
came  well  into  view,  and  it  was  soon  possible  to  tell 
battleships  from  cruisers  and  even  name  some  of  the 
vessels  that  were  distinguishable  because  of  pecuHar 
construction. 

'The  reserve  fleet  has  come  up,  sir,"  said  Captain 
Crane,  soon  after  he  had  leveled  his  glass  through  a 
tower  slit.     'They  have  mobilized,  I  think." 

"So  I  perceive,"  repHed  the  admiral ;  then  he  asked : 
"What  do  you  think  of  that  formation?" 

"It  is  crescent  shaped." 

"With  the  battleships  on  the  horns." 

"Perhaps  they  beHeve,  sir,  that  we  will  run  in,  and 
they  can  close  around  and  crush  us." 

"I  notice  the  flag  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester  on  the 
extreme  left  wing  and  that  of  Lord  Smythe  on  the 
right,"  remarked  the  admiral,  as  his  glass  swept  the 
enemy's  squadrons. 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Well,  Captain  Crane,  we  are  now  within  four  miles 
of  the  enemy,  and  you  may  open  fire.  Mr.  Sandoval, 
signal  the  fleet,  battleships  and  cruisers  this  time, 
to  fire  at  will.  Swing  the  Oroya,  Captain  Crane,  so 
as  to  bring  all  our  ships  into  line." 


304  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

The  British  had  slowed  down  upon  seeing  the  enemy 
come  toward  them  and  the  great  fleet  was  nearly  sta- 
tionary when  the  Peruvian  order  to  fire  was  given. 
As  the  guns  on  the  Oroya  and  her  consorts  com- 
menced to  roar  it  was  noticed  that  the  battleships  on 
the  right  and  left  horns  of  the  crescent  began  to  move 
ahead,  leaving  the  cruisers  astern.  And  then  the  Brit- 
ish opened  fire. 

Shells  burst  fast  on  the  Oroya's  protective  sides  and 
a  splinter,  glancing  through  a  slit  in  the  conning 
tower,  crushed  the  clock  that  ticked  on  an  upright  be- 
hind the  quartermaster,  and  glancing  cut  a  gash  in 
En^gn  Quigley's  knee.  Another  splinter  entered 
through  a  gun-port  below  and  Hawkins  saw  the  bodies 
of  two  men  dragged  from  the  side  of  a  gun,  so  they 
might  not  be  trampled  on,  and  then  he  saw  hospital 
stewards  run  up  with  stretchers  and  carry  away  three 
of  the  crew  who  had  been  wounded. 

They  had  drawn  so  close  that  all  the  ships  of  the 
British,  now  nearly  thirty,  had  found  the  range,  and 
twelve,  nine,  eight,  six  and  four-inch  shells  were  being 
hurled  at  the  great  vessels  that  flew  the  red,  white  and 
red  of  Peru. 

Nobody  could  tell  just  what  shot  did  it,  although 
later  a  forward  gunner  on  the  Payta  claimed  to  have 
taken  deliberate  aim  at  the  great  cruiser's  vitals.  At 
any  rate,  the  roar  of  an  explosion  caused  all  glasses 
to  be  turned  to  the  center  of  the  British  fleet,  where 
could  be  seen  the  Roscommon,  up-ending  and  sinking. 

"She's  the  finest  cruiser  of  the  fleet,  sir,"  yelled  Cap- 


The  Engagement  305 

tain  Crane — he  had  to  yell,  to  make  himself  under- 
stood.    "She's  over  14,000  tons,  sir." 

The  admiral  motioned  that  he  heard,  then  pointed 
quickly  to  something  bright  that  glistened  on  the 
water  between  the  flag-ship  and  the  British  vessels. 

"Torpedo-boats !"  ejaculated  Captain  Crane ;  and, 
seizing  the  megaphone,  he  threw  himself  flat  on  the 
floor,  over  the  grating,  and  called  to  those  below: 
"Quick,  there,  with  the  rapid-fire  guns!  Torpedo- 
boats  to  starboard  !     Lively  there !" 

Along  the  side  there  were  thrown  open  other  gun 
ports  than  those  through  which  the  great  pieces  peered, 
and  twelve  and  six-pounders  commenced  to  pepper  the 
water,  the  rapid  crack  of  the  small-calibre  guns  sound- 
ing sharp  above  the  deep  roar  of  the  heavy  ordnance, 
as  soprano  notes  rise  above  the  orchestra  and  chorus. 

Four  torpedo-boats  were  moving  swiftly  to- 
ward the  Peruvians.  They  had  been  hidden  by  the 
low-hanging  smoke  from  the  British  guns  and  were 
within  a  mile  of  the  Oroya  when  sighted  by  Admiral 
Garcia — dangerously  near  unless  the  Peruvians  chose 
to  run  for  it,  which  was  not  thought  of  by  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, who  had  determined  to  decide  the 
engagement  within  the  hour. 

The  torpedo-boats  were  not  bunched  and  each  one 
made  a  separate  target.  It  was  a  daring  dash  by  the 
British,  who  were  evidently  buoyed  by  the  hope  that 
one  or  more  of  the  little  craft  might  pass  through  the 
cyclonic  whirl  of  shells  and  inflict  a  mortal  blow  on 
the  seemingly  invincible  hulls  that  had  been  built  on 
the  Chincha  Islands  to  astonish  the  world. 


3o6  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

Captain  Crane  hurried  from  the  conning  tower  to 
the  gun  deck,  for  the  deadly  little  boats  had  not  been 
checked  by  the  first  few  seconds'  fire.  The  water  in 
their  vicinity  was  being  churned  to  white  froth,  the 
consorts  of  the  Oroya  having  joined  the  flag-ship  in 
the  efifort  to  repulse  the  swiftly-moving  terrors.  The 
fire  of  the  great  guns  had  been  stopped  so  that  there 
might  be  no  jar  to  interfere  Vv^ith  the  aim  of  the  light 
pieces.  The  British  had  also  ceased  firing,  for  the 
gun-cotton  laden  craft  were  dashing  into  range.  Every- 
one knew  that  all  this  while  the  destroyers  were  being 
struck  by  shells  from  machine-guns  and  rapid-fire 
pieces,  and  that  scores,  perhaps  hundreds  of  missiles, 
had  cut  through  their  light  sides  and  decks,  but  the 
fact  that  they  were  advancing  showed  that  a  vital  spot 
had  not  been  reached ;  men  were  undoubtedly  being 
shot  down  on  board,  a  death  must  have  been  recorded 
every  second ;  still  they  came  on  to  what  seemed  in- 
evitable destruction,  in  one  last  heroic  effort  to  reach 
the  great  warships  of  Peru  and  strike  them  in  their 
vulnerable  parts — below  the  water  line.  They  were 
so  near  that  the  ofilicers  in  the  conning  tower  could 
distinguish  them  by  name  —  the  Destruction,  the 
Tornado,  the  Terrific  and  the  Terrible.  The  first  was 
headed  straight  for  the  Oroya,  the  second  for  the  Pisco, 
the  third  for  the  Payta,  and  the  Terrible  was  evidently 
making  for  the  Tambovisa,  the  cruiser  having  come 
in  ahead  of  the  battleship  Chorillos  on  the  firing  line. 

The  transition  from  this  nerve-racking,  breathless 
situation  was  so  sudden  that  those  who  were  specta- 
tors on  the  Oroya  said  in  after  years  that  it  was  all  like 


The  Eng:agement  307 

a  hideous  nightmare  to  them — they  awoke  to  find  it 
over.  The  end  came  in  three  great  bursts  of  sound, 
the  noise  of  which  sang  in  some  men's  ears  for  weeks ; 
in  others  there  was  no  such  singing,  for  their  ear- 
drums were  rent  by  the  explosion  and  they  became 
deaf.  When  the  Destruction,  the  Tornado  and  the 
Terrific  were  within  striking  distance  of  their  prey 
shells  struck  either  boiler-room  or  ammunition  hold 
on  each  and  they  rose  in  fragments  into  air,  parts  of 
men  and  parts  of  machinery  gyrating  in  the  whirling 
clouds  of  water  that  went  with  them,  and  steam  hiss- 
ing as  it  was  suddenly  .released  from  confinement. 
Whether  the  explosions  came  together  or  there  were 
seconds'  interval  no  one  could  tell,  for  the  crash  was 
too  great  to  measure  its  duration.  Some  men  were 
knocked  down.  Everybody  noticed  and  remarked 
afterward  that  the  great  ships  were  heeled  over  slightly 
by  the  concussion  of  air. 

Verbal  utterance  was  useless  and  when  another 
tragedy  happened  those  who  had  been  watching  the 
infernal  panorama  could  only  call  attention  to  it  by 
seizing  the  arm  of  the  person  standing  near  and  point- 
ing to  the  cruiser  Tambovisa.  There  had  been  three 
explosions,  and  only  three ;  the  Destruction,  Tornado 
and  Terror  had  gone  down  with  all  hands.  But  the 
Terrible  had  weathered  the  gale  of  fire  and  the  hail  of 
lead  and  she  could  be  seen  under  the  Tambovisa's 
stern.  The  next  second  there  was  a  crashing  of  metal 
upon  the  torpedo-boat's  hull  such  as  no  war  vessel  had 
ever  known.  The  fierce  bombardm.ent  was  a  second 
too  late.     It  meant  death  to  the  Terrible,  for  she  up- 


3o8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ended  and  sank,  then  there  shot  up  a  column  of  water 
carrying  more  mangled  bodies  and  more  disintegrated 
machinery ;  but  at  that  instant  her  torpedo  struck  the 
Tambovisa  in  the  stern  and  a  gaping  hole  was  torn  in 
the  great  Peruvian  cruiser. 

''Call  away  the  boats  !"  cried  Admiral  Garcia. 

Hawkins  heard  him,  for  Hawkins  was  within  a  foot 
of  the  commander-in-chief.  Lieutenant  Sandoval,  who 
was  perhaps  a  yard  away,  did  not  hear.  The  admiral 
sprang  to  his  side  and  repeated  the  command.  The 
flag  officer  started  to  obey,  then  pointed  up — the  sig- 
nal staff  had  been  shot  away. 

"Rig  another !"  called  the  admiral. 

Captain  Crane  gestured  violently  and  pointed.  They 
all  jumped  back  to  the  observation  slits  and  saw  the 
Tambovisa  moving  away  from  the  firing  line  and 
moving  rapidly ;  they  also  saw  water  pouring  into  the 
hole  in  her  stern.     A  signal  fluttered  at  her  yard-arm. 

"Viva  Incaland !"  it  read. 

No  one  asked  why  she  was  leaving  the  fleet ;  no  one 
wondered  why  she  had  disobeyed  orders ;  no  one 
spoke :  they  only  w^aited  and  held  their  breath  while 
witnessing  the  deed  of  heroes  as  great  as  were  those 
Englishmen  who  had  courted  death  in  the  torpedo- 
boats. 

The  captain  of  the  Tambovisa  knew  that  the  issue 
of  the  battle  depended  upon  the  events  of  the  next  few 
minutes;  he  knew  that  his  cruiser  was  sinking,  and 
he  had  determined  to  take  a  warship  of  the  enemy  to 
the  bottom  with  him. 

The  cruiser  gathered    speed    as    her    longitudinal 


The  Engagement  309 

screws  thrashed  the  water,  spray  commenced  to  dash 
over  her  bows  and  the  pennants  at  the  yard-arm,  signal- 
mg,  ''Viva  Incaland,"  stood  out  straight  as  though 
made  of  cardboard.  She  dashed  across  the  watery  space 
between  the  Peruvian  Hne  and  the  British  with  the 
speed  of  a  racehorse,  making  straight  for  the  battleship 
Mavourneen,  which  flew  the  flag  of  Admiral  His  Grace 
the  Duke  of  Manchester.  The  Mavourneen's  officers 
saw  the  black  cruiser  coming.  They  evidently  divined 
what  was  intended  and  endeavored  to  get  out  of  the 
way.  But  they  were  too  late.  The  Tambovisa  leapt 
forward  on  the  British  battleship.  It  seemed  to  those 
on  the  Oroya  as  though  the  great  steel  hulls  struggled 
with  one  another  for  mastery  before  both  rolled  over 
and  wxnt  down,  the  Cross  of  St.  George  and  the  Red, 
White  and  Red  of  Peru  sinking  side  by  side,  while 
nearly  two  thousand  men  sprang  from  the  ships'  sides, 
the  majority  of  them  to  be  swallowed  in  the  vortices. 
Then  waves  rolled  back. 

'Tush  into  the  thick  of  it.  Captain  Crane !"  ordered 
Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia.  "Mr.  Sandoval,  signal  all 
ships  to  follow  and  to  fire  at  will !" 

The  staff  above  the  conning  tower  had  been  repaired 
and  flags  wdiich  spoke  the  command  were  soon  flutter- 
ing in  the  breeze  that  had  followed  the  light  wind  of 
the  morning.  The  order  had  been  waited  and  prayed 
for,  and  was  no  sooner  hoisted  and  read  than  the 
Peruvian  ships  dashed  toward  the  enemy,  almost  in  the 
vv-ake  of  the  Tambovisa,  and  as  they  moved  into  close 
action  the  great  guns  opened  once  more.  There  was 
immediate  reply  and  crashing,  bursting  shells  again 


310  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

tore  the  water  and  ripped  the  steel  of  the  protective 
sides.  They  were  soon  alongside,  Peruvian  between 
two  British  ships,  with  others  of  the  enemy  off  bow 
and  stern,  guns  nearly  touching,  and  tons  of  metal  with 
velocity  of  meteorites  being  hurled  back  and  forth. 
A  shell  tore  through  a  gun  port  on  the  Oroya  and 
dismounted  a  15-inch  piece,  killing  twenty  men;  and 

then 

'They  have  struck !"  exclaimed  Captain  Crane. 
All  looked  toward  the  Nelson,  flag-ship  of  Lord 
Henry  Smythe,  commander-in-chief  since  the  death 
of  the  Duke  of  Manchester  on  the  Mavourneen,  and 
they  saw  that  the  cross  of  St.  George  was  being  low- 
ered. 

''Cease  firing!''  ordered  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia. 
The  great  guns  became  silent  and  on  the  British  fleet 
they  were  also  stilled. 

All  became  quiet  on  the  Oroya  save  for  the  moans 
of  the  wounded  who  had  not  been  removed  from  the 
gun  deck.  On  all  vessels  of  both  fleets  engines  had 
been  stopped  and  the  ships  were  drifting. 

Victory  rested  with  the  Red,  White  and  Red  of 
Incaland. 

They  at  once  lowered  boats  from  all  ships,  both 
Peruvian  and  British,  and  did  what  they  could  to  save 
life  now  that  the  white  flag  had  taken  the  place  of  the 
banners  of  war.  They  found  struggling  in  the  water 
perhaps  a  score  of  the  men  and  a  few  of  the  officers  of 
the  Tambovisa  and  the  Mavourneen,  who  were  taken 
into  the  small  craft  and  hurried  to  the  Mejillones, 
where  the  fleet  surgeon  of  the  Peruvian  navy  was  wait- 


< 

td  -  . 

O  Id 

9  55 


The  Engagement  3n 

ing  with  a  corps  of  assistants,  and  where  British  and 
Peruvians  were  treated  ahke  with  stimulants  and  with 
tender  care.  The  small  boats  then  carried  everybody 
from  the  battleship  Restoration  and  from  the  cruiser 
Appleyaird,  which  were  sinking  from  shots  below  the 
water  line  received  during  the  last  gun  fire.  These 
men  were  distributed  throughout  the  fleet.  Meanwhile 
boats  carrying  fire-fighting  apparatus  had  run  along- 
side the  battleship  Gloucester  and  the  cruiser  Castle- 
rea,  and  for  an  hour  the  Peruvians  on  the  little  craft 
fought  flames  which  were  springing  from  between 
decks,  and  were  ably  seconded  in  their  efforts  by  the 
British  crews,  although  the  latter  knew  that  the  ships 
once  saved  belonged  to  the  enemy.  The  efiforts  proved 
useless,  however,  and  the  Peruvians  were  compelled 
to  abandon  these  prizes. 

While  all  this  was  doing  Lord  Henry  Smythe  was 
rowed  to  the  Oroya's  side,  and,  being  received  on 
board  with  the  ceremony  due  his  rank,  he  tendered  his 
sword  to  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  as  evidence  of  un- 
conditional surrender. 

Then  was  counted  the  cost  of  victory. 

The  expedition  into  the  i\tlantic,  to  meet  the  British 
squadrons,  had  been  at  the  expense  of  two  cruisers,  the 
Matucana,  sunk  off  Bahia,  and  the  Tambovisa,  sunk  in 
action.  Nearly  a  thousand  men  had  gone  to  the  bot- 
tom this  day,  for  hardly  a  gun's  crew  had  been  res- 
cued from  the  water  after  the  flag  of  truce  had  been 
hoisted.  In  response  to  the  signal,  "report  casualties," 
there  came  facts  and  figures  that  swelled  the  list  of 
dead  and  added  many  wounded  to  the  roll  of  victims. 


312  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

On  the  Oroya  twenty-four  men  had  been  killed  out- 
right and  nearly  three-score  were  under  the  sur- 
geon's care. 

The  Pisco  reported  fifteen  firemen  scalded  to  death 
by  the  escape  of  steam,  for  a  shell  splinter  had  glanced 
from  the  deck  into  the  engine-room  and  had  cut 
through  a  feed  pipe.  Of  the  crew  above  but  one  man 
had  been  injured. 

Captain  Rodriguez  and  four  of  the  officers  of  the 
Payta  were  dead.  A  shell  from  a  rapid-fire  piece  had 
entered  the  conning  tower  of  this  battleship  and  had 
killed  everybody  there  except  the  quartermaster,  who 
was  believed  to  be  mortally  wounded.  This  happened 
just  as  the  Peruvian  ships  entered  into  close  action, 
and  it  accounted  for  a  slight  wavering  on  her  course 
by  the  Payta,  for  her  wheel  was  without  a  guide,  and 
there  was  no  one  to  give  orders  until  other  officers 
rushed  into  the  conning  tower,  and  pushing  the  bodies 
of  the  fallen  out  of  the  way,  took  up  the  work  where 
the  commanding  officers  had  ended  it  with  their  lives. 
On  the  Chorillos  two  guns  had  been  dismounted  and 
nearly  two  hundred  men  killed  and  wounded.  The 
slaughter  had  been  the  greatest  on  this  ship  and  it 
was  at  first  thought  that  she  had  been  struck  below 
the  water  line  and  was  sinking,  but  this  proved  erro- 
neous. 

»  The  Mejillones  had  lost  a  part  of  one  of  her  funnels, 
and  several  of  her  crew  had  been  struck  by  splinters, 
but  no  one  had  been  seriously  wounded  on  board  and 
none  had  been  killed. 

On  the  Arica  two  lieutenants  had  been  struck  down 


The  Engagement  313 

while  at  the  guns  and  a  dozen  men  were  in  the  sick 
bay.  It  was  feared  the  officers  and  two  of  the  men 
would  die,  but  the  others  would  probably  recover. 

The  reports  to  Admiral  Garcia  showed  that  only  on 
the  Chorillos  had  the  protective  sides  been  pierced,  and 
this  accounted  for  the  frightful  loss  of  life  on  the 
battleship.  On  the  others  the  casualties  were  due  to 
shells  bursting  outside  and  splinters  entering  the  gun- 
ports  or  conning  tower  slits,  or  to  small  shells  enter- 
ing bodily  through  these  apertures. 

But  whatever  the  Peruvian  loss  it  could  not  be  com- 
pared with  that  of  the  British.  The  battleship  Brutus 
had  been  abandoned,  sinking,  after  half  her  crew  had 
been  killed ;  the  Mavourneen  had  gone  dovrn  with  the 
Tambovisa,  carrying  all  hands  ;  the  Amoreaux,  though 
afloat,  was  littered  with  dead;  the  Restoration  was 
sinking  and  the  wounded  were  being  taken  from  her ; 
the  Fenwick  had  gone  down,  carrying  many  of  her 
crew  to  the  bottom;  the  Coventry  had  burned  and 
there  were  scores  who  had  not  escaped  the  flames ;  the 
Dundee,  her  decks  covered  with  dead  and  dying,  was 
drifting,  rudderless;  the  Derbyshire  had  gone  down; 
the  Cardiff  was  a  charred  hulk  and  the  torpedo-boats 
Destruction,  Tornado,  Terrific  and  Terrible  had  been 
destroyed  with  all  hands.  The  loss  of  life  was  esti- 
mated at  three  thousand  men  and  there  were  as  many 
more  who  needed  the  surgeons'  care. 

As  soon  as  Admiral  Garcia  received  the  surrender 
he  ordered  all  vessels  of  his  command  to  lower  their 
protective  sides  and  then  signaled  for  the  Chorillos  to 
be  at  once  transformed  into  a  hospital  ship,  and  for  all 


31.4  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  wounded  to  be  taken  to  her.  The  sea  was 
almost  a  dead  calm,  so  this  was  done  rapidly,  all 
boats  to  the  smallest  cutters  being  ordered  away. 
Following  the  wounded  from  all  the  ships  of  the  two 
fleets,  for  the  British  were  given  the  same  attention 
as  the  Peruvians,  went  surgeons  and  hospital  attend- 
ants. It  came  on  night  before  all  this  was  accom- 
plished, and  when  eight  bells  rang  out,  the  order  was 
issued  to  postpone  other  work  till  morning.  Then 
hammocks  were  piped  and  the  tired  ships'  crews 
sought  rest  in  the  canvas  folds. 

With  daybreak  and  renewed  vigor  they  went  to 
work  again,  and  in  two  hours  the  stains  of  strife  were 
cleaned  away  and  much  of  the  damage  repaired.  Then 
came  the  burial  of  the  dead,  the  tipping  of  the  planks 
and  the  dropping  of  bodies  weighted  with  shot  into  the 
deep,  while  the  chaplains  read  the  burial  service. 

At  10  o'clock  all  the  British,  except  a  few  stokers 
and  able  seamen,  who  had  been  engaged  to  work  on 
the  prizes,  were  sent  to  the  cruisers  Castel  and  Ferry- 
mount.  These  ships,  with  the  battleship  Pisco  as 
convoy,  were  ordered  to  start  at  once  for  Barbados, 
where  the  prisoners  were  to  be  landed  and  given  their 
freedom.  The  Castel  and  Ferrymount  were  to  remain 
in  the  offing  at  the  island  until  the  arrival  of  the 
Oroya. 

The  Payta,  Tambovisa,  Mejillones  and  Arica  were 
ordered  to  steam  for  the  Straits  of  Majellan  and  then 
to  Callao,  with  the  other  ships  as  prizes,  stopping  only 
when  necessary  to  coal.  The  prizes  consisted  of  the 
following:     Battleships — Amoreaux,  Daredevil,    Me- 


The  Engagement  315 

phisto,  Cyclops,  Nelson,  Devereaux  and  Cornwalis. 
Cruisers — Ayleshire,  Rugby,  Kildare  and  Longford. 
Torpedo-boats — Energetic,  Hurricane,  Audacious, 
Adventurer,  Pert  and  Ne'er-do-well. 

The  Chorillos,  her  decks  crowded  with  wounded, 
was  ordered  to  accompany  the  Oroya. 

At  3  o'clock  that  afternoon  Admiral  Garcia  y  Gar- 
cia signaled  for  the  different  fleets  to  get  under  way, 
then,  stepping  into  the  wheel-house,  he  said  to  Captain 
Crane : 

"Proceed  at  thirty-five  knots,  sir ;  and  make  for  New 
York." 


CHAPTER   XXII. 
A  NEWSPAPER  MAN'S  TRIUMPH. 

Carey  Hawkins  walked  slowly  into  Park  Row, 
knowing  that  he  was  thoroughly  master  of  the  situa- 
tion and  that  his  information  was  possessed  by  only 
one  other  person  in  the  metropolis,  and  that  person 
had  gone  to  a  hotel  where  he  would  be  as  secure  from 
intrusion  as  on  the  great  battleship  he  commanded, 
for  he  was  incognito  that  night  and  had  agreed  to  keep 
his  identity  unknown  for  twelve  hours  from  the  time 
of  landing. 

At  sunset  the  electric  barge  Valeria  had  run  in  from 
out  at  sea,  as  though  she  had  come  alone  across  the 
Atlantic.  Far  outside,  beyond  the  vision  of  the  many 
lookout  stations,  she  had  left  the  Oroya  and  the  Chor- 
illos,  both  hove-to  for  the  night,  under  orders  to  pro- 
ceed into  the  lower  bay  at  daybreak.  Admiral  Gar- 
cia and  the  newspaper  correspondent  had  been  the  only 
passengers  on  the  barge,  and  as  soon  as  they  were 
landed  at  the  Battery  the  launch  turned  and  sped  down 
the  bay  again  at  full  speed.  The  sailors  on  the  Val- 
eria wore  yachting  suits  of  blue,  costumes  that  did 
not  attract  attention,  and  which  were  adopted  for  the 
occasion.  The  admiral  was  in  civilian's  dress,  and, 
although  his  distinguished  bearing  caused  many  per- 
sons to  turn  and  seek  a  second  glance,  yet  he  was  in 
cosmopolitan  New  York,  where  even  wonders  cease 

316 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph     3^7 

to  be  wonderful.  Some  comment  had  been  caused  by 
the  Valeria.  Her  beauty  and  peculiar  build  caused  sea- 
faring men  to  ask  one  another  what  manner  of  craft 
she  might  be,  but  as  she  was  not  long  in  sight,  the 
comment  among  the  Battery  folk  did  not  get  up-town 
that  night. 

Conscious  that  he  was  on  the  eve  of  a  great  triumph, 
and  knowing  that  the  information  he  possessed  would 
make  the  entire  civilized  world  wonder,  Hawkins 
walked  leisurely  along  Park  Row,  enjoying  in  antici- 
pation as  much  as  he  could  in  reality  the  scenes  which 
he  knew  would  be  enacted  later.  It  felt  good  to  be 
back  in  New  York  City.  He  even  paused  a  moment 
to  look  at  the  tramps,  as  they  stretched  themselves  on 
the  benches,  endeavoring  to  seize  a  few  minutes  for 
sleep  before  the  gray-coated  policeman  should  come 
their  way  again  and  rap  them  on  the  feet  v^ith  his  long 
club.  He  smiled  as  the  thought  came  to  his  mind  that 
he  recognized  some  of  these  tramps ;  and  the  scene 
was  so  different  from  those  through  which  he  had 
just  passed  that  he  forgot  the  latter  for  the  moment 
and  quickened  his  steps  toward  a  tall  building  across 
the  way  that  meant  home  for  his  work-a-day  self.  He 
entered  the  large  door,  as  he  had  always  done  after 
covering  an  assignment,  nodded  to  a  clerk  at  the  coun- 
ter, and  stepped  into  the  elevator. 

"What  floor,  sir?" 

These  words  brought  him  suddenly  back  to  the 
present.  They  had  changed  elevator  boys  while  he  was 
absent  and  the  question  of  a  stranger  broke  the  har- 
mony of  thought.    He  gave  the  direction  and  a  min- 


3i8  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

ute  later  was  in  the  large  room  where  the  city  staff 
of  the  newspaper  held  sway. 

In  one  corner  the  day  city  editor  and  the  night  city 
editor  were  in  consultation,  and  here  and  there,  seated 
at  desks,  were  reporters,  writing  the  stories  which  were 
the  result  of  afternoon  assignments,  Hawkins  had 
no  occasion  to  disturb  anyone  just  then — so  he  walked 
over  to  his  old  place  in  another  corner,  and  taking  off 
his  coat  he  drew  up  a  chair,  first  placing  before  him 
the  manuscript  which  he  had  prepared  on  the  Oroya. 
Then  he  began  writing  a  brief  account  of  the  arrival 
off  the  coast  of  the  two  Peruvian  ships.  This  was  in 
the  nature  of  an  addition  to  what  he  had  already  pre- 
pared— bringing  it  up  to  date,  as  the  newspaper  men 
say.  He  was  still  busy  and  was  oblivious  to  all  sur- 
roundings when  the  city  editor,  crossing  the  floor  to 
take  his  hat  from  a  peg,  caught  sight  of  the  broad 
shoulders  and  handsome  features  of  the  reporter  who 
had  been  so  long  away  on  a  foreign  assignment,  and 
who  had  sent  in  the  exclusive  story  of  the  battle  of 
Valparaiso  Bay. 

"Why,  hello,  Carey!  where  did  you  drop  from?" 
he  exclaimed,  stopping  short,  and  shading  his  eyes 
with  his  hand,  as  if  his  sight  had  deceived  him.  "By 
Jove,  it  is  Hawkins!  How  in  thunder! — that's  all 
right;  that's  all  right," — for  the  correspondent  had 
jumped  from  his  chair — "It  doesn't  matter  if  you 
didn't  stay  for  the  great  battle.  We  tried  to  head  you 
off  by  wire,  but  I  suppose  the  cable  missed.  Any- 
how, you  have  covered  yourself  and  the  paper  with 
enough  glory ;  and  Miller  can  handle  it,  or  the  A.  P. — 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph    3^9 

they  have  enough  men  down  there,  goodness  knows." 

"Down  where  ?"  gasped  Hawkins,  nonplussed  at  this 
reception. 

'*'\Vhy,  down  at  Callao,  to  be  sure." 

'Who's  down  at  Callao?" 

"Nearly  every  correspondent  in  the  country.  I 
can't  understand  how  you  missed  them  at  Panama. 
We  thought  you  would  remain  with  the  fleet,  and  sent 
Miller  to  help  you.  It  doesn't  matter,  though.  Glad 
to  see  you  back." 

"Look  here,  Mr.  Leathers !"  and  Hawkins  in  his  ex- 
citement caught  hold  of  the  city  editor's  coat  by  the 
lapel,  "do  you  mean  to  tell  me  that  you  are  expecting 
news  from  Callao?" 

"Certainly.  Only  an  hour  ago  we  received  a  cable 
from  Miller.  He  wired  that  the  fleets  were  probably 
nearing  one  another  to  the  south  and  that  he  had  char- 
tered a  steamer  from  the  Pacific  Steam  Navigation 
Company.    He  had  not  heard  of  you  anywhere." 

Hawkins  sank  back  in  his  chair  and  burst  into 
laughter  so  loud  and  long  that  everybody  in  the  room 
turned  round,  and  one  reporter  tapped  his  head  sig- 
nificantly with  a  lead  pencil.  The  city  editor  looked 
at  the  correspondent  in  astonishment. 

As  soon  as  Hawkins  could  regain  his  composure  he 
drew  Mr.  Leathers  toward  him  and  said,  slowly  and 
impressively :  "It's  a  greater  beat  than  I  dared  hope 
for  and  I  cannot  understand  why  it  should  be  so.  Be 
careful  novv^  and  don't  let  any  more  persons  know  than 
you  absolutely  have  to.  The  Peruvian  fleet  is  ofl?  the 
Hook ;  that  is,  part  of  it." 


320  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"What?"   . 

"It's  a  fact,  sir.  Look  at  this  copy,"  and  he  pointed 
to  his  desk. 

"The  Peruvian  fleet!  And  where  is  the  British 
fleet?" 

"Destroyed — annihilated — captured — it  no  longer 
exists." 

"Hold  on,  Hawkins !  How's  that  wound  you  re- 
ceived in  Valparaiso?     Head  hurt  you?" 

"Mr.  Leathers,  I  can  well  understand  how  you  feel 
and  what  you  think,  but  I  am  as  sane  a  man  as  there  is 
in  this  room,  and  I  assure  you  that  we  have  the  news 
beat  of  history,  and  every  man  connected  with  it  has 
got  to  keep  a  level  head  or  it  will  get  out." 

These  words,  so  earnestly  spoken,  acted  on  the  city 
editor  as  a  shower  bath  acts  on  an  intoxicated  man, 
and,  although  his  hands  trembled  with  excitement,  he 
asked  the  correspondent  in  steady  tones,  as  though 
questioning  him  concerning  an  afternoon  assignment, 
"Tell  me  what  you  have." 

"The  story  of  the  defeat  at  sea  of  the  Channel  and 
Mediterranean  squadrons  by  seven  ships  of  the  Peru- 
vian navy.  It  includes  the  loss  of  nearly  six  thousand 
men  and  describes  the  disposition  of  the  vessels  after 
the  engagement." 

"You  have  all  this?" 

"Yes,  sir;  in  about  fifty  thousand  words  of  copy, 
all  ready  for  the  printers." 

Mr.  Leathers  rose  from  his  chair,  but  was  detained 
by  Hawkins. 

"Just  a  minute,  sir.     You  spoke  of  the  Peruvian 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph      321 

fleet  being  in  the  South  Pacific.  Have  you  not  heard 
of  the  loss  of  the  Matucana?" 

"A  Peruvian  ship?" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"No.     Where  was  she  lost?" 

"Of?  Bahia." 

"Haven't  heard  a  word  of  it." 

"Then  no  copy  from  me  has  reached  you  ?" 

"Not  since  the  matter  you  filed  at  Valparaiso." 

"And  you  don't  know  that  vessels  of  the  Peruvian 
navy  have  been  off  New  York  for  a  week,  capturing 
British  merchantmen,  and  taking  them  to  Barbados 
as  prizes  ?" 

"No." 

"Then  we  will  have  more  news  beats  than  I  ex- 
pected. I  sent  you  the  story  of  the  loss  of  the  Matu- 
cana and  supposed  that  it  had  been  delivered  by  a 
pilot  before  this." 

"A  severe  gale  was  blowing  for  three  days  until  day 
before  yesterday,  and  the  pilot-boats  have  probably 
been  driven  out  to  sea." 

"That  accounts  for  it,"  said  Hawkins.  "Fortunately 
I  kept  a  copy  of  the  story,  and  can  send  to  the  hotel 
for  it.  That  will  make  ten  thousand  words  more.  Bet- 
ter get  the  marine  man  to  work,  Mr.  Leathers,  to 
cover  the  local  end  of  captures  by  the  torpedo-boats. 
Haven't  you  reports  of  British  ships  overdue  here,  at 
Philadelphia  and  at  Boston?" 

"Yes.  We  supposed  they  had  been  delayed  by  heavy 
weather." 


322  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Heavy  weather!  No;  I  tell  you  they  have  been 
captured." 

"I  must  see  Henderson/'  said  the  city  editor.  "Get 
up  the  rest  of  the  copy,  old  man,  and  I'll  send  you  a 
boy  who  can  fetch  what  you  want  from  the  hotel. 
There's  no  use  my  telling  what  a  big  piece  of  work 
you  have  done  ;  there  was  never  anything  like  it.  I'm 
still  half  dazed,  and  you  must  pardon  me  for  having 
doubted  your  statements  before  I  learned  the  facts." 

He  walked  hastily  away  and  darted  down  a  hall; 
then  Hawkins  again  plied  his  pencil.  When  Mr. 
Leathers  returned  he  was  accompanied  by  the  man- 
aging editor,  a  short,  heavy-set  man,  whose  kindly  red 
face  spoke  a  greeting  to  the  correspondent  before  his 
voice  was  heard. 

"We  must  take  matters  coolly,"  said  Mr.  Hender- 
son, "or  something  will  give  w^ay.  Mr.  Leathers,  you 
had  better  dismiss  the  entire  stafif  to-night,  except  the 
copy  readers.  We  will  give  New  York  the  novelty  of 
a  newspaper  containing  but  one  story." 

"Yes,  sir,"  and  the  city  editor,  stepping  across  the 
room,  told  his  assistant  of  the  plan. 

"You  had  better  divide  Hawkins'  story  into  chap- 
ters," said  the  managing  editor  when  Mr.  Leathers 
had  returned,  "and  parcel  it  out  to  the  copy  desk.  I 
will  go  down  stairs  and  attend  to  the  mechanical  part. 
Think  I  shall  ask  the  chairman  of  the  chapel  if  we 
can't  lock  everybody  in  to-night." 

"It  might  be  well,  sir." 

"Yes;  and  you  must  watch  the  city  room  closely, 
Leathers." 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph    323 

"I  will,  sir." 

*That  reminds  me,"  interrupted  Hawkins.  "Perhaps 
I  had  better  go  to  the  hotel  for  that  copy  on  the 
Matucana  and  not  trust  it  to  a  messenger." 

"Is  it  in  your  trunk  ?" 

"No ;  Admiral  Garcia  has  it," 

"Admiral  Garcia !  How !  I  thought  you  said  it 
was  at  the  hotel." 

"So  it  is;  and  he  is  also  at  a  hotel;  the  Fifth 
Avenue." 

"But  is  there  not  danger  of  some  one  securing  an 
interview  ?" 

"Not  the  slightest.  He  is  incog.,  and  if  you  knew 
Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia  you  would  not  ask  that  ques- 
tion. He  is  as  much  interested  with  my  work  in 
connection  with  this  story  as  I  was  with  his  during 
the  naval  battles." 

"That's  all  right,"  said  the  managing  editor.  "Haw- 
kins has  not  made  a  mistake  so  far,  and  he  is  the  best 
able  to  judge.  And  I  think  his  suggestion  that  he 
bring  his  manuscript  down  in  person  is  a  wise  one." 

"How  much  have  you  to  write,  Hawkins  ?"  the  city 
editor  asked. 

"About  a  thousand  words :  half  an  hour's  work." 

"Then  wind  the  story  up  before  you  go  to  the  hotel. 
There  is  enough  copy  on  your  desk  to  last  the  printers 
till  midnight." 

"Want  any  pictures,  sir?" 

"Not  to-night,"  said  Mr.  Henderson.  "We  will 
make  it  a  straight  reading  story  and  give  them  pictures 


324  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

later.  I  guess  we  will  have  to  put  on  four  more  pages 
as  it  is." 

'Til  take  this  copy,"  said  the  city  editor,  putting  his 
hand  on  the  manuscript. 

The  correspondent  nodded  acquiescence  and  Mr. 
Henderson  and  Mr.  Leathers  stepped  over  to  the  desk, 
where  a  half-dozen  copy  readers,  v/ho  had  been  watch- 
ing the  scene  and  wondering,  were  at  once  put  to  work 
on  the  great  news  beat  of  history. 

The  correspondent  sharpened  his  pencil  and  the 
next  minute  became  as  busy  as  they,  and  he  did  not 
stop  writing  until  he  had  described  the  arrival  of  the 
Oroya  and  Chorillos  off  the  city,  the  Valeria's  trip 
up  the  bay,  and  the  presence  for  the  night  in  New 
York  of  Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia,  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  Peruvian  navy. 

When  he  had  finished  he  stepped  to  the  city  editor's 
desk,  copy  in  hand,  and  said:  "Perhaps  it  would  be 
better  to  write  the  story  of  the  patrol  by  the  torpedo- 
boats  after  the  marine  man  returns.  You  will  want 
the  lead  from  me,  I  suppose?" 

''Yes ;  and  now,  Hawkins,  will  you  go  to  the  hotel 
for  the  story  you  spoke  of?" 

"I  will,  sir ;  but  first  permit  me  to  shake  hands  with 
the  men,"  and  he  stepped  to  the  copy  desk.  "Smith," 
he  exclaimed,  "don't  look  at  me  like  that.  It's  just 
luck,  old  man.  I  happened  to  know  these  Garcia  people 
when  a  boy  and  became  quite  chummy  with  them,  so 
it  was  natural  for  them  to  send  for  me  on  this  matter. 
That  is  all  there  is  to  it  Once  started,  I  only  wrote 
what  I  saw.    To  be  sure,  it  is  a  wonderful  beat,  but 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph     325 

any  of  you  fellows  could  have  done  the  same  thing." 
And  Hawkins,  having  grasped  by  the  hand  every  man 
ia  the  room,  entered  the  elevator  and  left  the  building. 

He  was  gone  an  hour  and  upon  his  return  found  the 
proprietor  of  the  newspaper,  a  man  he  had  seen  but 
twice  during  the  five  years  that  he  had  been  employed 
as  reporter,  in  the  city  room,  reading  some  of  the  story 
in  manuscript.  A  few  minutes  later  the  correspondent 
was  closeted  in  the  managing  editor's  room  with  the 
proprietor,  to  whom  he  had  always  referred  as  *'chief," 
and  the  latter  said  :  "You  have  done  so  well  that  praise 
is  almost  useless.  You  are  so  good  a  newspaper  man 
that  the  publication  of  this  story  will  perhaps  be  a 
greater  reward  than  anything  I  may  ofifer;  neverthe- 
less, let  me  hand  you  this,"  and  he  gave  Hawkins  a 
check.  "Mr.  Henderson,"  he  continued,  "I  suppose 
you  will  retain  Mr.  Hawkins  as  correspondent  with 
the  Peruvian  fleet,  for  there  will  be  news  to  report 
daily  in  those  far-away  waters.  Of  course  you  will  in- 
crease his  salary  without  reference  to  the  sum  I  have 
handed  him." 

"Thank  you  for  what  you  have  done,  sir,"  inter- 
rupted Hawkins,  "but  as  to  the  correspondence  I  fear 
it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  accept  the  offer.  Ad- 
miral Garcia  has  appointed  me  his  flag  secretary,  with 
the  rank  of  lieutenant-commander,  and  the  fact  of  the 
matter  is,  I  am  at  present  an  officer  of  the  Peruvian 
navy,  on  shore  leave." 

"Could  you  not  serve  us  at  the  same  time?"  asked 
Mr.  Henderson,  after  he  had  congratulated  the  cor- 
respondent upon  his  appointment. 


326  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"I  might,  sir.  I  should  be  very  glad  were  it  possi- 
ble, and  I  believe  that  I  could  render  you  service  with- 
out interfering  with  my  duties.  And  that  reminds  me, 
Admiral  Garcia  leaves  for  Washington  in  the  morning 
and  it  would  be  well  to  cover  his  movements  closely, 
for  there  will  probably  be  important  developments 
during  his  stay  at  the  capital." 

"Will  you  cover  it  for  us?" 

"Yes,  sir.  That  is,  I  will  be  able  to  report  what 
happens  from  his  side,  but  it  will  be  well  to  also  in- 
terview the  government  officials." 

"Certainly:    that  will  be  attended  to." 

"And  the  Chorillos  should  make  a  big  story,  sir.  She 
carries  nearly  three  thousand  wounded,  and  a  request 
will  be  made  in  the  morning  for  the  admission  of  the 
worst  cases  to  the  city  hospitals.  She  will  come  into 
the  bay  at  daybreak." 

"Indeed  that  is  a  big  story,"  said  the  managing 
editor.    "I  will  see  that  it  is  covered,  Mr.  Hawkins." 

They  returned  to  the  local  room,  where  the  copy 
readers  were  still  busy  sending  down  to  the  printers 
sections  of  the  great  story  of  the  naval  battle.  On  the 
desk  of  the  city  editor  were  a  number  of  proofs,  which 
Mr.  Henderson  and  the  proprietor  glanced  hastily 
over,  and  then  the  latter  was  overheard  to  say  to  the 
managing  editor :  "It  is  even  greater  than  I  thought. 
There  is  no  danger  of  it  getting  out,  is  there?" 

"No,  sir;  I  think  not.  Everything  is  carefully 
watched.  The  printers  have  been  locked  in  at  their 
own  request,  for  they  understand  the  nature  of  the 
story,  and  don't  want  any  blame  to  rest  on  the  chapel 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph    327 

should  there  be  a  leak.  Only  two  sets  of  proofs  are 
being  taken,  one  for  the  proofreaders  and  the  other 
for  Mr.  Leathers.  He  will  not  leave  his  desk  during 
the  night  without  taking  his  with  him.  I  have  men 
on  guard  dow^n  stairs  as  well  as  in  the  hall." 

"We  will  not  run  a  fast  mail  edition  in  the  morning, 
Henderson.  I  would  rather  miss  it  than  take  the  chance. 
We  can  send  the  papers  by  a  later  train.  Get  the  city 
edition  out  at  sharp  4  o'clock  and  not  a  minute  before." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"If  you  have  no  further  use  for  me  to-night,"  said 
Hawkins,  "perhaps  I  had  better  go  to  the  hotel,  for 
the  admiral  is  planning  to  leave  by  an  early  train." 

The  story  of  the  battle  off  the  Spanish  coast,  as  told 
exclusively  by  one  New  York  newspaper,  corresponds 
in  the  history  of  journalism  with  the  chapters  in  the 
history  of  the  world  that  treat  of  the  defeat  of  the  com- 
bined squadrons  under  Admiral  His  Grace  the  Duke 
of  Manchester  by  three  Peruvian  battleships  and  three 
cruisers  under  Admiral  Louis  Garcia  y  Garcia. 

All  New  York  was  astounded  when,  at  breakfast,  in 
cars  or  at  office  the  story  was  spread  before  them,  page 
after  page,  and  fact  after  fact,  telling  not  only  of  a 
marine  engagement  such  as  the  world  had  never 
known,  but  reporting  the  advent  of  a  new  power. 

Even  while  New  York  was  uttering  its  first  exclam- 
ations of  astonishment  the  Oroya  and  the  Chorillos 
steamed  through  the  Narrows,  up  the  lower  bay  and 
anchored  in  the  North  River,  opposite  Thirty-second 
street.    But  before   this,  Admiral   Garcia   had  tele- 


328  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

graphed  the  Peruvian  legation  at  Washington,  and 
even  before  the  Secretary  of  State  had  sat  down  at 
breakfast  he  had  been  informed  of  the  events  that 
were  stirring,  and  had  been  asked  to  urge  upon  the 
New  York  ofBcials  that  quick  response  to  calls  for 
hospital  accommodation  would  greatly  mitigate  the 
suffering  of  the  wounded,  who  were  crowded  on  the 
battleship.  So  the  wires  w^ere  set  working  between 
the  nation's  capital  and  metropolis  while  the  Oroya 
and  her  consort  were  steaming  in  from  Sandy  Hook, 
and  requests  from  government  sources  were  met  with 
hearty  replies  from  State  and  municipal  ofBcers ;  and 
when  the  Peruvian  ships  dropped  anchor,  long  lines  of 
ambulances  had  formed  on  the  pier  and  far  into  the 
streets,  while  a  police  detail  kept  back  the  curious.  All 
that  morning  and  until  far  into  the  afternoon  sailors, 
marines,  firemen  and  stokers,  who  had  been  wounded 
in  the  great  battle,  were  transferred  from  ship  to  shore 
in  the  swift-running  electric  barges,  and  then  to  hos- 
pitals in  the  rubber-tired  ambulances.  The  majority 
of  these  sufferers  wore  the  blue  and  white  of  the  Brit- 
ish navy;  the  others  were  clad  in  the  striking  black 
costume  worn  by  the  Peruvians ;  the  ratio  was  about 
three  to  one.  For  the  care  of  all,  enemy  and  friend, 
Admiral  Garcia  had  guaranteed  payment. 

At  noon  that  day  the  Peruvian  commander-in-chief 
arrived  in  Washington,  and  before  3  o'clock  he  had 
sought  and  been  granted  an  audience  with  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  in  one  of  the  early  chapters  of  this  history  the 
writer  told  of  an  understanding  that  had  been  reached 


THE    OROYA    STEAMING    THROUGH    THE    NARROWS. 


A  Newspaper  Man's  Triumph     329 

by  Peru  and  the  United  States,  the  result  of  which 
was  that  officers  of  the  American  navy  were  instructed 
to  render  any  assistance  possible  to  the  Peruvians, 
short  of  engaging  in  actual  warfare.  This  was  proof 
of  the  close  relations  that  had  been  sustained  by  the 
two  governments  while  the  ships  were  being  built  at 
the  Chinchas ;  relations  which  it  was  easy  to  surmise 
had  become  closer  as  the  strength  of  the  sub-equatorial 
power  became  more  apparent. 

This  visit  to  the  Executive  Mansion  was  followed 
on  the  next  day  by  the  announcement  of  a  treaty,  which 
had  been  forwarded  to  the  Senate  for  ratification,  and 
which  bound  the  governments  of  the  United  States  and 
Peru  more  closely  than  any  two  nations  had  been 
bound  before.  It  was  noticed  by  the  readers  of  this 
treaty  that  reference  was  made  to  the  United  States 
of  Incaland,  and  then,  for  the  first  time,  the  intentions 
of  the  Peruvian  government  concerning  the  expansion 
of  territory  and  the  control  of  political  affairs  south  of 
the  equator  became  known  to  the  world. 

It  was  also  in  Washington  that  a  treaty  of  peace 
was  signed  between  the  United  States  of  Incaland  and 
Great  Britain.  The  latter  surrendered  all  claims  to  the 
ships  captured  in  the  battle  off  the  Spanish  coast,  to 
the  merchantmen  that  had  been  taken  by  the  torpedo- 
boats,  and  agreed  to  recognize  the  rights  of  Incaland 
to  the  territory  that  had  been  reclaimed  from  Chile. 

On  the  first  day  of  August,  all  negotiations  having 
been  completed.  Admiral  Garcia,  on  the  Oroya,  left 
New  York  Bay  for  Callao,  other  ships  of  the  navy, 
including  the  prizes,  having  preceded  him. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

TEN  YEARS  AFTER  THE  GREAT  NAVAL 
ENGAGEMENT 

Incaland  developed  rapidly  under  the  government 
formed  by  Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia,  which  had  been 
endeared  to  the  people  by  the  victorious  wars  with 
Chile  and  Great  Britain.  The  territory  reclaimed  from 
the  former  country  was  rich  in  minerals,  and  the  prov- 
inces of  Tarapaca  and  Tacna  soon  became  the  wealth- 
iest of  the  rejuvenated  power.  Shortly  after  the  treaty 
of  peace  was  signed  Bolivia  sought  annexation  and 
became  a  state  of  Incaland,  and  a  few  months  later 
Ecuador  was  split  in  twain  by  internecine  war  and  the 
southern  half  joined  the  new  republic.  Lands  rich 
in  agricultural  products,  especially  rubber,  were  ac- 
quired by  the  annexation  of  the  last  named  territory, 
and  Bolivia  brought  valuable  mines  and  the  important 
sea  coast  city,  Antofogasta. 

The  commerce  of  Incaland  sprang  into  international 
importance.  The  Oroya  railroad,  that  marvel  of  en- 
gineering skill,  constructed  by  John  Meiggs,  from  the 
sea-level  to  the  altitude  of  13,000  feet,  was  continued 
over  the  Andean  chain  into  the  interior,  furnishing 
means  of  transportation  for  the  product  of  the  mines 
and  the  growth  of  forest  and  fields.  Another  railroad 
was  built  from  Buena  Vista  into  the  interior,  and 
twenty-five  years  after  the  old  Inca  led  the  boys,  Pedro 
and  Louis,  down  the  narrow  defile  to  the  treasure- 

330 


Ten  Years  After  331 

house  by  the  seashore,  the  whistle  of  locomotives  could 
be  heard  as  trains  sped  through  the  crevice  in  the 
mountains,  which  had  been  widened  to  accommodate 
the  road-bed.  On  the  ocean  there  were  hundreds  of 
steamships  that  flew  the  red,  white  and  red  of  Inca- 
land,  for  although  the  name  had  been  changed  to 
conform  with  the  wishes  of  the  Inca,  the  ensign  was 
the  same  as  that  under  which  the  Oroya  and  her  con- 
sorts had  sailed  across  the  Atlantic  to  do  battle.  Nearly 
half  these  steamships  were  engaged  in  foreign  trade, 
one  line  running  to  Panama,  another  to  Valparaiso, 
a  third  to  San  Francisco  and  yet  another  through  the 
Straits  of  Magellan  and  across  to  Europe,  stopping  at 
Buenos  Ayres,  Montevideo  and  Rio  de  Janeiro.  The 
other  steamships  were  engaged  in  the  coast  trade,  ply- 
ing between  Callao,  and  Antofogasta  and  Iquiqui  on 
the  south,  and  Guayaquil  on  the  north.  The  Chinchas, 
also,  where  was  maintained  the  largest  naval  station  in 
the  world,  was  a  frequent  port  of  call.  These  islands, 
once  so  barren  and  desolate,  had  become  noted  for  the 
magnificence  of  their  flora,  the  rarest  of  tropical  trees 
and  flowers  growing  there  in  the  rich  soil,  nurtured  by 
irrigation. 

The  navy  that  had  attained  such  renown  was 
watched  over  with  a  zealous  eye  by  Admiral  Louis 
Garcia,  and  the  spirit  of  invention  on  the  islands  not 
only  kept  pace  with  events  but  led  them,  as  in  days 
gone  by,  and  the  Oroya  and  other  ships  of  the  fleet 
maintained  their  superiority  over  the  vessels  of  all 
nations.  The  prizes  captured  from  Great  Britain  and 
from  Chile  had  been  added  to  the  navy  and  the  strength 


332  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

in  tonnage  and  armament  caused  Incaland  to  be  ranked 
as  the  second  naval  power,  the  United  States  having 
taken  first  place. 

In  every  other  manner  did  Incaland  progress  and 
become  great  as  a  nation.  Its  highways  were  rebuilt 
and  they  rivaled  those  of  Switzerland ;  its  cities  were 
restored  and  their  inhabitants  schooled  in  the  duties 
of  self-government ;  its  famous  mines  were  reopened 
and  modern  machinery  was  used  to  take  from  the 
depths  the  wealth  of  nitrate  and  gold  that  had  rested 
undisturbed  since  creation :  schools  and  colleges  were 
fostered  by  the  government  and  a  cabinet  portfolio 
was  created,  termed  the  Department  of  Art  and  Liter- 
ature. Incaland  began  to  attract  the  wonder  of  the 
world  because  of  its  engineering  feats  and  its  architec- 
tural skill. 

Although  this  was  indirectly  the  result  of  the  gold 
that  had  been  stored  in  the  treasure-house  of  the 
Incas,  yet  the  wealth  that  made  such  progress  possible 
came  from  other  sources.  The  treasure  taken  from 
Buena  Vista  had  become  exhausted  soon  after  the 
war  with  England ;  it  had  sufficed  to  create  the  form- 
idable navy  and  pay  the  expenses  of  the  wars,  and  then 
the  brothers  Garcia  were  compelled  to  depend  upon 
the  country's  natural  resources.  They  agreed  it  was 
well  that  it  must  be  so,  for  unlimited  wealth  would 
have  cheapened  itself  and  would  have  induced  sloth- 
fulness.  The  credit  of  Incaland  had  become  as  firm 
as  a  rock ;  the  mines  were  waiting  an  attack  by  ma- 
chinery; the  trees  of  hard  wood  needed  only  to  be 
felled  and  the  virgin  soil  wanted  but  the  seed  and  the 


Ten  Years  After  333 

care  of  the  farmer.  And  so,  during  the  next  ten  years, 
Incaland  waxed  glorious,  and  became  as  great  in 
peace  as  it  had  been  great  in  war. 

Ten  years  passed  quickly  over  the  heads  of  the  new 
peoples.  What  they  accompHshed  during  that  period 
remains  for  the  historian  to  tell — a  country  renewed, 
a  nation  re-established  and  a  free  people  made  happy. 
The  brothers  Garcia  had  many  trials  and  perplexities 
— dangers,  even,  to  confront.  Pedro  had  continued 
President,  the  united  voice  of  the  nation  retaining  him 
in  office,  and  Louis,  after  the  war,  had  been  named 
Minister  of  Marine,  retaining  his  rank  of  admiral 
and  having  personal  supervision  of  the  navy.  The 
position  of  Minister  of  Marine  in  Incaland  was  the 
same  as  that  of  Prime  Minister  in  England  or  Secre- 
tary of  State  in  the  United  States,  he  was  the  adviser 
of  the  President.  The  perplexities  of  these  years  were 
caused  by  those  who  envied  the  President  and  his 
brother,  a  few  of  whom  were  willing  to  impute  ill 
motives  to  the  marvelous  men  who  had  saved  and 
rebuilt  an  empire.  But  the  murmurings  were  quickly 
extinguished  for  lack  of  sympathy,  and  peace  reigned 
in  all  the  land. 

When  seven  years  of  active  and  soul-trying  labor 
had  resulted  in  placing  the  country  on  a  fairly  firm 
foundation  among  the  governments  of  the  earth,  Presi- 
dent Garcia  turned  his  attention  to  the  accomplishm.ent 
of  the  last  wish  of  the  old  Inca — which  was  that  his 
remains  should  be  carried  in  state  and  laid  to  rest  in 
the  ancient  capital.  To  fulfill  this  final  mission  re- 
quired, as  a  matter  of  course,  the  re-establishment  of 


334  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  capital  itself  at  Cuzco.  This  was  no  easy  task.  In 
the  years  that  were  gone  the  great  city  had  gradually 
fallen  into  decay.  Its  ancient  temples,  its  marvelous 
public  buildings,  its  very  walls  had  crumbled  from  dis- 
use and  abandonment.  It  retained  a  few  shops  and 
some  pretty  villas,  that  were  occupied  for  a  portion 
of  the  year  by  old  and  wealthy  citizens  of  Peru  who 
made  their  real  homes  at  either  Lima  or  Callao.  A 
few  Indians  still  worked  in  metals  and  as  potters,  turn- 
ing out  articles  of  commerce  in  these  lines  which  had 
no  equal  in  the  world  for  fineness  and  purity.  But 
Cuzco — the  imperial  city  of  the  past,  the  magic  city, 
the  city  of  splendid  achievements  and  of  romantic  his- 
tory— had  become  merely  a  retired  village,  a  city  only 
in  memories.  To  re-estabHsh  it  as  the  capital  of  Inca- 
land  required,  therefore,  the  quick  appHcation  of  en- 
ergy, enterprise  and  skill.  The  Garcias,  familiar  with 
the  traditions  and  the  history  of  the  city,  and  its 
neighborhood,  had  been  cleverly  directing  capital  to- 
ward Cuzco.  To  those  who  came  from  other  countries, 
principally  the  United  States,  to  invest  their  surplus 
wealth  in  mines  or  to  make  their  fortunes  for  the  first 
time,  information  was  given  that  over  toward  Cuzco 
the  hills  and  mountains  and  valleys  could  be  made  to 
unbosom  treasures  of  gold,  silver  and  quicksilver,  to 
say  nothing  of  the  opportunities  for  those  who  wished 
to  till  the  soil  or  take  advantage  of  the  richness  of  the 
forests.  And  it  was  pointed  out  that  better  facilities 
for  transportation  to  the  sea  had  increased  many  fold 
the  value  of  all  mining  properties  and  had  made  possi- 
ble others  that  it  would  have  been  folly  to  husband 


Ten  Years  After  335 

before  the  whistle  of  the  locomotive  penetrated  the 
interior.  So  the  miners  and  workers  followed  the  cap- 
itaHsts  over  the  hills  and  across  the  deserts  to  Cuzco. 
And  the  valleys  there  began  to  blossom  again. 

A  municipal  government  was  established  in  which 
great  interest  was  taken  by  the  brothers  Garcia,  who 
passed  as  much  time  in  the  interior  city  as  they  could 
spare  from  their  duties  at  Lima  and  Callao. 

In  the  eighth  year  after  peace,  the  temples  were  re- 
built— not  as  temples  of  the  sun,  but  as  churches  of 
the  living  God,  whose  worship  was  not  with  fire,  but 
with  love  and  gratitude.  The  world-famous  skill  of 
the  inhabitants  as  stone-cutters  and  fitters  had  not 
been  lost,  and  as  the  months  passed  the  new-old  city 
of  Cuzco  rose  like  magic  from  its  ruins,  and  soon  its 
spires  and  turrets  glittered  in  the  sunlight  and  bright- 
ened the  pleasant  valley  beyond. 

The  hour  had  ripened  for  the  burial  of  the  Inca 
and  the  reinterment  of  the  bones  of  the  former  chiefs 
in  the  ancient  capital,  now  the  great  modern  city  of 
Incaland.  It  was  to  be  done  with  pomp  and  cere- 
mony, as  the  Inca  would  have  desired ;  and  there  was 
another  purpose  in  view,  that  of  characterizing  the 
transition  from  the  great  empire  of  the  past  to  the 
republic  of  the  present,  so  that  not  only  the  people  of 
Peru  but  the  nations  of  the  world  might  understand 
that  beneath  the  sentiment  of  the  procedure  lay  the 
principle  of  revivification  through  death.  It  was  de- 
cided that  the  event  should  be  conducted  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Government,  and  that  the  army  and 
navy  should  participate,  to  the  extent  of  attending 


33^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  Inca's  remains  from  the  cavern  by  the  sea  to  the 
city  of  Cuzco. 

There  was  a  railroad  penetrating  the  interior  from 
Buena  Vista,  where  the  bones  of  the  Incas  lay,  but 
as  this  line  had  not  been  completed  as  far  as  the  new 
capital,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  have  the  cortege 
move  by  the  way  of  Callao  and  Lima,  and  this  pleased 
the  residents  of  those  cities,  for  ihey  had  asked  that 
they  might  participate  to  some  extent  in  the  cere- 
monies. 

Ten  years  to  a  day  from  the  morning  when  the  new 
Peruvian  squadron  appeared  in  Callao  Bay,  to  the 
wonder  of  the  world,  a  fleet  again  dropped  anchor 
there,  many  of  the  ships  having  steamed  over  from 
the  Chinchas,  others  arriving  from  foreign  stations. 
How  different  the  panorama  from  that  of  ten  years 
before  !  When  the  flotilla  slowly  rounded  San  Lorenzo 
this  day  a  small,  low-lying  ship,  flying  the  pennant  of 
Admiral  Garcia,  commander-in-chief  of  the  navy  of 
Incaland,  and  Minister  of  Marine,  was  in  the  van. 
She  was  the  Huascar,  and  astern  of  her  followed  the 
battleships  Oroya,  Payta,  Chorillos,  Pisco  and  Mira- 
flores,  and  the  cruisers  Mejillones,  Arica  and  Chosica. 
Next  there  steamed  in  close  saiHng  order  the  vessels 
that  had  been  captured  from.  Chile  and  Great  Britain, 
and  astern  of  these  again  were  merchant  ships,  gaily 
dressed  with  bunting  and  having  on  board  bands  of 
music. 

The  entry  to  Callao  harbor  this  morning  was  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  on  board  the  officials  who  were 


Ten  Years  After  337 

to  journey  to  Buena  Vista  and  the  citizens  who  were 
to  visit  the  place  on  the  passenger  steamships. 

That  evening  the  great  fleet  weighed  anchor  and 
proceeded  south  at  slow  speed,  so  that  the  Huascar 
might  maintain  her  position,  for  the  httle  vessel,  the 
pride  of  all  Peru,  was  quite  old  now,  and  she  halted  in 
her  marine  march. 

They  arrived  at  Buena  Vista  on  the  third  day, 
toward  sunset,  and  the  great  ball  of  red  was  sinking 
mto  the  sea  as  the  Huascar  and  two  of  the  lighter 
draught  ships  steamed  close  inshore  and  anchored 
there  for  the  night,  while  the  other  vessels  remained 
outside,  steaming  off  and  on.  At  daybreak  electric 
barges  put  ashore  and  three  companies  of  marines 
were  landed.  The  major  in  command  at  once  formed 
them  in  double  line,  so  that  they  stood  guard  on  each 
side  of  the  passage  that  led  from  the  golden  tomb  of 
the  Inca  chiefs  to  the  pier.  Prior  to  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  the  bodies — some  of  which  had  rested  in  state  for 
centuries — were  prepared  for  removal,  and  when  the 
ships  in  the  offlng  and  those  close  inshore  sounded 
eight  bells,  one  hundred  sailors,  clad  in  the  black  of 
the  famous  navy,  marched  with  magnificently  wrought 
caskets  from  the  golden  tomb  to  the  water's  edge, 
where  their  burdens  were  transferred  to  the  barges  and 
by  these  boats  conveyed  to  the  Huascar. 

Three  days  later  the  fleet  again  arrived  off  Callao 
and  the  ships  formed  in  the  shape  of  a  crescent  while 
the  remains  of  the  Incas  were  taken  from  the  Huascar 
to  the  Banos  del  Oroya,  and  from  there  to  the  special 
train  that  was  waiting.     While  this  was  being  done 


33^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

the  Oroya  and  the  other  battleships  fired  salutes,  using 
the  great  guns,  and  the  reverberation  was  such  that 
even  the  houses  in  Lima,  seven  miles  distant,  trembled 
as  though  there  was  an  earthquake  passing.  The  doors 
of  the  great  cathedral  in  the  City  of  the  Kings  had 
been  thrown  open  and  in  this  celebrated  edifice  the 
crumbled  bodies  of  the  chieftains  were  placed  in  state, 
where  they  remained  for  nearly  a  week,  viewed  by  all 
who  cared  to  see,  and  they  numbered  thousands  from 
coast  cities  to  the  north  and  south,  as  well  as  the 
inhabitants  of  Lima  and  Callao. 

When  these  days  of  celebration  were  ended  the  cas- 
kets were  placed  on  a  train  of  the  Oroya  railroad,  the 
guards  crowded  the  cars  and  a  start  was  made  for  the 
chmb  up  the  Andes.  Many  days  before  this  half  the 
Peruvian  army  had  been  sent  over  the  mountains  to 
Cuzco  and  the  navy  was  there  represented  by  two  thou- 
sand sailors  and  one  thousand  marines. 

******* 

It  was  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  naval  battle  off 
the  Spanish  coast.  When  the  morning  broke  over  the 
plains  a  brilliant  spectacle  met  the  gaze  of  the  beholder. 
The  army  of  Incaland,  bestirring  itself  even  as  the 
shadows  of  night  were  chased  away,  had  already  begun 
its  preparations  for  the  ceremonies  of  the  day.  Long 
rows  of  camp  fires  burned  along  the  little  river  that 
divided  the  plain,  marking  where  preparations  were 
being  made  for  the  morning  meal.  Everywhere  was 
the  bustle  and  activity  incident  to  military  life  in  the 
field — the  constant  tramp  of  soldiery  as  guards  were 
relieved  and  others  placed  on  duty,  or  special  details 


Ten  Years  After  339 

marched  from  place  to  place;  the  shrill  neighing  of 
horses,  some  of  them  restive  at  being  restrained  by 
lariats,  others  galloping  over  the  plain,  bearing  aides 
and  messengers ;  the  hurrying  to  and  fro  as  men  on 
foot  passed  in  the  duties  of  the  day ;  the  shouts  of  com- 
mand, the  occasional  boisterous  laughter,  and  above 
all  the  shrill  bugle  and  trumpet  calls  and  throbbing 
drum  rolls — the  moving  panorama  of  day-dawn,  just 
before  a  battle  or  a  parade.  In  every  direction,  from 
the  green  base  of  the  mountains  to  the  ancient  wall  of 
the  city,  which  modern  architects  had  not  been  per- 
mitted to  destroy,  the  plain  was  teeming  with  life  and 
activity. 

Presently  the  sun  rose,  gilding  with  its  rays  all  the 
surrounding  objects  and  burnishing  mountain  and 
field  with  brilliant  colors.  Cuzco  burst  upon  the  sight 
of  the  soldiery  of  Incaland  like  a  great  picture  or  a 
mirage  in  the  desert,  so  distinctive  was  its  character. 
It  was  a  new  Cuzco.  The  ancient  Temple  of  the  Sun 
had  been  rebuilt.  Its  massive  walls  were  again  plated 
with  gold  and  the  brilliance  of  the  rays  were  reflected 
far  and  wide.  But  the  temple  was  no  longer  devoted 
to  the  worship  of  the  sun,  as  in  the  olden  days  of  its 
glory,  for  it  was  in  imitation  of  the  past  only  in  struc- 
ture. 

From  the  great  square  arose  noble  edifices  and 
splendid  private  homes,  marked  here  and  there  by 
groves  of  trees.  From  out  the  city  ran  the  river,  down 
to  the  pla'n.  Even  from  afar  could  be  seen  the  paved 
streets,  the  clean  dwellings  and  the  evidence  of  mod- 
ern thrift  and  enterprise.    It  was  the  Cuzco  of  Ata- 


340  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

hualpa  only  as  seen  from  a  distance.  To  the  true 
Peruvian  there  was  just  enough  in  the  appearance  of 
the  city  to  remind  one  of  the  great  municipaHty  over 
which  Pizarro  and  his  ancient  Spanish  hordes  ran  riot 
hundreds  of  years  before — ^just  enough  of  suggestion 
to  thrill  the  beholder  with  a  movement  of  savage 
ecstasy  and  dehrium.  It  was  the  old  Cuzco,  trans- 
formed as  by  the  wand  of  a  magician  into  the  new. 
It  was  only  yesterday,  it  seemed,  that  the  last  of  the 
reigning  Incas  had  been  put  to  death  in  the  public 
square;  it  was  only  yesterday  the  daring  Spaniards 
quartered  their  horses  in  the  palaces  and  wrenched  the 
gold  from  the  walls  of  the  temple ;  it  was  only  yester- 
day this  same  plain  and  field  resounded  to  the  tramp 
of  the  soldiery  commanded  by  the  Dons,  and  the  fierqe, 
despairing  cry  of  the  Peruvian. 

To-day  Peru — the  Incaland  of  the  future — had  come 
back  to  its  own,  crowned  with  laurels  of  victory ;  come 
back  to  inhabit  as  of  old  the  cities,  and  till  as  before 
the  fields  that  once  laughed  at  the  tickle  of  those  who 
owned  them  as  a  birthright;  to  stand  forever  in  the 
shade  of  the  trees  planted  by  the  fathers  for  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  children,  or  sit  at  eve  in  the  sweet  fragrance 
of  the  flowers  and  hear  the  night  birds  calling,  as  they 
used  to  call  before  foreign  greed  and  oppression  had 
crushed  out  the  life  of  Peru. 

Just  a  little  higher  rose  the  sun  and  upon  the  hills 
reflected  its  effulgence.  The  shadows  of  the  moun- 
tains sped  away;  the  city  became  alive  with  moving 
figures ;  banners  were  floated  above  the  rebuilt  walls ; 
here  and  there  were  shouts  of  laughter,  the  strains  of 


Ten  Years  After  34i 

martial  music ;  and  there  was  running  to  and  fro  within 
the  walls  of  men  on  busy  pleasure  bent.  The  army  on 
the  plain  was  at  breakfast  now.  Two  hours  later  it 
would  enter  the  city  and  plant  again  the  standard  upon 
the  walls  where  fathers  had  perished  miserably  at  the 
hands  of  civilized  savagery. 

There  was  a  tent  in  the  center  of  the  army  corps, 
distinguishable  from  others  that  dotted  the  plain  both 
because  of  its  size  and  because  of  the  guard  that  was 
on  duty  in  its  vicinity.  Sentinels  in  other  parts  of  the 
plain  wore  the  scarlet  of  the  army ;  the  men  near  this 
tent  were  clad  in  the  black,  relieved  by  silver,  and 
were  marines  of  the  Incaland  navy.  Not  far  from 
this  spot  was  the  camp  of  the  sailors,  all  of  whom 
were  clad  in  the  uniform  prescribed  for  a  landing  party 
— their  trousers  tucked  in  leggins  of  white  canvas. 
Three  men  stood  in  the  opening  of  this  tent.  Two 
were  natives — that  anyone  could  tell.  One  of  them 
was  clad  in  civilian  attire  and  the  other  in  uniform 
that  bespoke  him  an  officer  of  high  rank,  and  he  also 
wore  a  golden  sun  that  shone  upon  his  coat  of  black. 
The  third  was  also  clad  as  an  officer  of  the  Peruvian 
navy,  but  he  was  clearly  of  foreign  descent.  They 
were  the  heroes  of  this  story — Louis,  Pedro  and  Carey 
Hawkins,  who  had  been  the  chum  of  their  youth  and 
had  so  strangely  shared  in  the  triumphs  of  after  years. 
There  were  more  silver  hairs  in  their  heads  than  when 
they  had  sailed  into  New  York  harbor,  and  the  lines 
of  their  faces  were  more  firmly  drawn,  but  there  was  a 
pridal  bearing  that  only  victory  can  give. 


342  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

"Brother,"  said  Pedro,  "think  now  of  the  evening  on 
Buena  Vista  beach !" 

"I  do,"  said  he.  "And  do  you  recall  that  evening 
when  we  stopped  for  a  night's  rest  before  entering  the 
defile,  when  the  old  Inca  chanted  so  wonderfully  of 
the  visions  that  came  to  him?  Pedro,  as  I  look  yon- 
der," and  he  pointed  toward  the  temple,  "I  imagine 
that  I  can  see  the  procession  of  Atahualpa,  and  can 
hear  the  joyous  shouts  of  the  people." 

They  stood  thus  rapt  in  reminiscent  thought, 
when  their  attention  was  distracted  by  Captain  Haw- 
kins, who  remarked:     "The  day  grows  rapidly,  sir." 

"Yes,  my  brother,"  said  Pedro.  "We  shall  have 
business  forward  presently.  It  would  be  well  to  pre- 
pare for  the  entrance  into  the  city." 

Admiral  Louis  Garcia y  Garcia  had  command  of  both 
the  land  and  sea  forces  this  day,  and  they  waited  the  sig- 
nal from  him  to  be  set  in  motion.  A  bugle  blast  carried 
it,  and  soon  the  plain  was  alive  with  rapidly  moving 
figures  and  brilliant  with  glistening  bayonets  and 
plumes  and  helmets,  and  noisy  with  the  sound  of 
clanging  steel  and  the  tramp  of  horses  and  men. 

By  a  series  of  well  executed  maneuvers  the  com- 
mand formed  into  twelve  great  hollow  squares,  the 
sailors  and  marines  being  on  the  wings,  the  soldiery  in 
the  center — a  mass  of  red  bordered  by  black. 

There  was  a  moment  of  silence  and  then  from  the 
foot  of  the  mountains  came  a  bugle  blast  which  at- 
tracted attention  to  six  black  horses  with  nodding 
black  plumes  and  black  meshes.  Tall,  helmeted  and 
red-clad  troopers  sat  astride  the  animals  as  they  moved 


Ten  Years  After  343 

slowly  forward.  They  were  drawing  a  gun  caisson,  on 
which  rested  the  body  of  the  old  Inca,  bent  double, 
just  as  it  had  lain  in  the  tomb  of  gold  by  the  sea  when 
Pedro  and  Louis  left  it  there,  and  remarkably  pre- 
served because  of  the  dry  air  at  Buena  Vista.  Be- 
hind were  other  caissons  that  bore  the  bones  of  other 
Incas,  and  with  stately  motion  the  horses  passed  be- 
tween the  squares,  made  a  circle  and  stopped  before 
the  tent  of  the  President  of  Incaland,  and  the  troopers 
raised  their  sabers  in  salute. 

A  bugle  blast  command,  to  form  and  march  toward 
the  city,  w^as  about  to  be  given  when  attention  was  at- 
tracted by  the  discharge  of  a  cannon  from  the  fort  of 
Cuzco.  At  that  moment  the  gates  were  opened  and  a 
brilliant  procession  poured  forth.  Ten  giant  Peruvians 
were  in  the  lead  and  behind  them  came  a  band,  playing 
the  national  anthem.  Next  walked  the  governor  of 
the  province,  the  mayor  and  all  the  civic  officers.  Be- 
hind them  were  ten  thousand  Peruvian  Indians,  in 
whose  half-savage  veins  flowed  the  blood  of  the  ancient 
past.  In  gorgeous  costumes,  in  brilliant  trappings,  in 
strange,  weird  surroundings  the  procession  moved 
slowly  along  the  road  to  the  plain  below. 

The  soldiers  and  sailors  looked  on  the  scene  in  si- 
lence, for  they  knew  not  what  it  meant.  They  had  for- 
gotten, from  life-long  association  with  modern  men 
and  things,  the  customs  of  the  interior.  They  had  read 
and  heard  of  how  their  forefathers,  in  costumes  too 
gorgeous  for  description,  had  carried  their  kings  about 
with  them — even  into  battle — on  a  golden  throne.  But 
to  most  of  them  it  had  been  a  tale  told  during  an  idle 


344  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

hour.  But  the  brotherhood  of  blood  is  all-powerful. 
To  those  who  were  born  in  Peru  was  instantly  com- 
municated all  the  savagery  of  the  forgotten  past  and 
their  sympathies  inoculated  those  who  were  of  alien 
birth  yet  served  under  the  red,  white  and  red.  All  now 
knew  what  the  procession  meant.  For  a  moment  they 
were  as  savage  as  ever  were  the  fierce  fellows  who 
fought  and  died  surrounding  their  king. 

That  long  procession,  those  strange  costumes,  that 
weird  chanting  by  Indians — they  realized  the  meaning, 
and  simultaneously  they  gave  vent  to  a  long,  loud 
shout  that  had  in  it  the  exultation  that  had  sounded  in 
the  ears  of  Atahualpa  and  pierced  the  soul  of  Pizarro 
when  he  was  cut  down  within  those  very  walls. 

Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  procession,  the  music 
and  the  chants  becoming  softer  as  the  citizens  of  Cuzco 
reached  the  plain.  Within  a  few  yards  of  the  soldiery 
the  welcoming  hosts  paused  and  for  a  moment  army 
and  people  were  motionless.  Then  frqm  the  midst  of 
the  Indians  stepped  forward  a  gigantic  fellow,  clad  in 
the  costume  of  the  ancients.  Slowly  and  stately  he 
walked  to  where  stood  the  President  and  the  admiral. 
To  them  he  bowed  low  and  thus  he  spoke: 

"Prophets  of  the  children  of  the  sun:  We  have 
come  to  you,  most  powerful  of  the  conquerors  of  the 
earth,  to  beg  the  privilege  of  receiving  and  conveying 
into  the  city  the  body  of  the  last  of  our  Incas.  Un- 
crowned in  life,  in  death  we  ask  that  he  be  given  the 
honors  that  would  have  been  his  had  he  lived  until 
now.  To  3^ou  and  our  brave  men,  we  pour  out  our 
hearts  in  gratitude  and  praise  for  the  redemption  of 


Ten  Years  After  345 

our  country.  We  owe  to  you  our  lives,  our  homes  and 
our  liberties.  But  before  we  do  more  homage  to 
the  living,  permit  us,  O  prophets  of  the  children  of  the 
sun,  to  bury  our  Inca — whose  body  you  have  sacredly 
preserved  after  the  fashion  of  our  race,  and  with  him 
all  the  customs  and  habits  which  we  have  held  until 
now  by  tradition." 

It  was  a  strange  speech  and  a  stranger  request.  It 
was  a  mixture  of  the  old  and  the  new  and  as  impressive 
as  the  solemn  surroundings  and  the  remarkable  occa- 
sion. 

President  Pedro  and  Admiral  Louis  exchanged 
glances  that  were  evidently  understood  by  each,  for  the 
former,  removing  his  hat  and  stepping  forward  a  single 
pace,  addressed  not  only  the  speaker,  but  those  who 
followed  in  his  train. 

"Warrior  chief,"  he  said,  "and  all  the  people  of  this 
ancient  city  before  whose  walls  we  are  now  assembled : 
My  brother  and  I  accept  your  kind  words  with  loving 
gratitude,  merely  adding  that  we  have  only  been  hum- 
ble instruments  in  the  hands  of  our  people  and  our 
God.  V/e  are  the  children  of  the  sun,  truly,  as  are  you, 
my  brethren — the  sun  of  righteousness,  liberty  and 
progress.  The  breastplate  we  wear  is  but  the  symbol 
of  the  olden  days,  shining  forward  into  the  happiness, 
peace  and  prosperity  of  our  magnificent  country. 

"As  for  your  request,  it  is  cheerfully  granted,  with 
the  condition  that  the  army  and  navy  of  Incaland  shall 
be  present  and  assist  at  the  ceremonies.  My  brother, 
the  admiral,  and  I  will  attend  you." 

The  commander-in-chief  whispered  to  his  aide  and 


34^  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

there  was  a  clear  loud  bugle  call  that  wakened  the 
echoes  in  the  foothills.  The  people  from  the  city  faced 
about;  the  six  black  horses  drew  the  caisson  from  the 
ranks  of  the  soldiers  out  into  the  open  plain  and  the 
horsemen  dismounted.  The  ten  Indians  stepped  for- 
ward with  a  golden  throne  and  set  it  down  beside  the 
gun.  Soldier  and  citizen  lifted  the  body  of  the  old  Inca 
from  the  caisson  and  reverently  removed  the  clothes 
and  shroud  with  which  it  had  been  surrounded.  It  had 
been  marvelously  preserved  in  its  cavernous  tomb,  and 
the  features  were  sufficiently  hfe-like  not  to  be  re- 
pulsive even  to  those  who  stood  near  by.  A  priest 
waved  the  attendants  away  and  began  the  adornment 
of  the  remains  for  the  last  parade  of  the  last  of  the 
Incas.  Instead  of  the  red  fringe,  which  in  the  ancient 
days  was  worn  around  the  head  of  an  Inca,  he  securely 
fastened  to  the  tawny  hair  plumes  of  the  birds  of  the 
tropics,  some  of  them  tall  and  nodding.  Around  the 
neck  he  suspended  a  golden  circlet  of  the  sun,  filled 
with  the  rarest  gems  and  brilliant  in  its  beauty. 
Around  the  body  he  threw  a  mantle,  made  from  skins 
of  the  llama,  cured  and  treated  until  white  as  untrodden 
snow. 

The  cavalry  saluted,  the  citizens  took  up  the  throne, 
the  trumpet  sounded,  then  came  bugle  calls  and  the 
immense  concourse  miOved  forward,  the  President  and 
admiral  with  their  staffs  riding  beside  the  body  of  the 
Inca,  followed  by  the  governor  of  the  province  and 
the  officials  of  the  city.  The  band  from  the  fort  began 
a  martial  strain,  the  chief  mourners  chanted  the  weird 
music  for  the  dead  and  slowly  the  vast  body  of  Peru- 


WK    ENTOMB     HERE    THE     LAST    OF    THE    IXCAS. 
MAY    HE    REST    IN    PEACE." 


Ten  Years  After  347 

vians  passed  into  the  highway.  Following  in  their  train 
came  the  men  of  the  army  and  the  navy,  the  red  uni- 
forms of  the  former  and  the  black  uniforms  of  the 
latter,  adorned  with  silver  and  gold,  shining  in  the 
sunlight  like  burnished  metal. 

As  the  procession  passed  the  gates  of  the  city  the 
citizens  apparently  disbanded,  separating  from  the  line 
rapidly,  so  that  when  the  soldiers  and  sailors  had 
marched  through  the  public  square  they  found  them- 
selves joined  directly  to  the  imperial  bodyguard. 

The  bearers  of  the  golden  throne  had  set  down  their 
burden  at  the  gates  of  the  Temple  of  the  Sun.  The 
military  saluted  and  the  civilians  bared  their  heads  as 
the  corpse  was  borne  into  the  great  building,  followed 
by  officials  of  state  and  municipahty :  bells  tolled  and 
the  citizens  knelt  in  the  streets. 

Inside  the  church  a  grave  had  been  hewn  out  of 
solid  rock  from  beneath  the  tesselated  floors,  and  into 
it  the  remains  were  lowered.  A  great  stone  hung  sus- 
pended above  this  tomb,  and  when  the  body  had  been 
laid  in  its  last  resting  place  the  chief  mourners  in- 
formed the  President  that  they  awaited  his  orders. 
Raising  his  hand,  Pedro  thus  spoke  to  the  people : 

"Children  of  the  Sun:  We  entomb  here  the  last  of 
our  Incas.  His  patriotism  and  fidelity  enabled  us  to 
rescue  our  country  after  centuries  from  the  hands  of 
others  and  restore  it  to  our  own.  May  he  rest  in 
peace. 

"With  him,  also,  we  bury  much  of  the  past — our 
enmities,  our  hates  and  our  ancient  customs.  Over 
this  tomb  we  swear  allegiance  to  ourselves,  so  that 


348  Sweepers  of  the  Sea 

with  the  coming  of  new  peoples  we  may  retain  our 
free  sovereignty  and  at  the  same  time  welcome  the 
oppressed  citizens  of  all  nations. 

"Fare  thee  well,  O  Inca !  Thou  who  ledst  the  last 
great  charge  against  the  invaders  wilt  ever  be  remem- 
bered r 

The  President  signalled  that  he  had  concluded,  every 
head  was  bowed  and  then  slowly  the  great  stone  w^as 
lowered  over  the  tomb  and  the  grave  was  sealed. 

As  the  Archbishop  of  Cuzco  rose  from  imprinting 
the  seal  of  the  church  upon  the  cement  the  bells  of 
the  temple  rang  out  in  a  glorious  chime  and  imme- 
diately the  guns  of  the  fort  boomed  a  national  salute, 
and  were  answered  by  batteries  of  artillery  that  had 
been  stationed  outside  the  city  walls.  All  the  people 
cheered,  all  the  bells  rang,  the  noise  was  deafening 
when  the  officials  passed  out  of  the  temple  to  a  great 
stand,  before  which  the  army  was  marching  in  review. 
Sailors  and  marines  of  the  sea  forces,  infantry,  cavalry 
and  artillery  of  the  land,  swung  by,  and  then  were 
massed  in  the  great  square  and  in  side  streets.  When 
all  had  passed,  Admiral  Garcia  y  Garcia  stepped  to  the 
front  of  the  stand  and  called  "Attention!" 

Bugles  and  trumpets  echoed  the  word,  and  then 
there  w^as  silence. 

"Present  arms  !'* 

A  thousand  sw^ords  and  sabres  glistened,  a  thousand 
gun  barrels  gleamed  as  the  weapons  were  brought  to 
a  salute. 

"Atahualpa!" 

The  one  word,  pronounced  by  Admiral  Garcia  could 


Ten  Years  After  349 

be  heard  by  everybody  in  the  great  square,  so  quiet 
had  all  become. 

President  Pedro  Garcia  y  Garcia  stepped  from  the 
stand  to  the  ground,  walked  to  the  center  of  the  square 
between  rows  of  infantry,  turned,  lifted  his  hat,  and 
called  out: 

"Absent,  but  accounted  for.    He  is  with  the  heroes." 


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